Construction work on overpasses in Kinshasa has a negative impact on economic activities at the Pompage site in Kinsuka, in Ngaliema commune. Stores, shops, and other commercial brands operating on this site are experiencing a sharp drop in attendance. Reason: their accessibility is obscured by fences in blue sheets preventing a good movement of people and their goods.
« Our revenues have dropped significantly since the beginning of the work. Our customers who live for example in Mbudi, for the most part, are concerned about traffic jams instead of coming down and buying our items as they used to. This is a considerable loss of profits, « lamented a manager of a commercial sign of the place.
Among the biggest losers is the SONAHYDROC gas station. She was forced to temporarily stop her activities. Visibly, the vehicles do not arrive at the terminus where the service station is located.
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Indeed, these economic operators who already face many fixed charges including state taxes, payroll, rent and other expenses see the curve of their revenues continue to plummet without anyone coming to them Help.
« It is true that it is the public interest that this work has been undertaken. But facing our charges, how should we behave? Will the state exempt us from the payment of taxes? Will the donors accept the accumulation of rent arrears? It is to these practical concerns that the Presidency should think to bring solutions, « said a store manager.
In the meantime, some small sellers and auctioneers have resolved to create a pirate market at the new terminus located at the yard of the overpasses site.
If the work ends within the deadline announced by the DG of the OVD during the last visit of the Head of State of 17 July 2019, the users of this road and the economic operators of this part of the city will be relieved if not their calvary will continue its merry way.
Harris KASONGO