Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala has just canceled the Partnership Agreement for the Telecom Control Center services signed on January 15, 2018 between the government, represented by the Minister of PT-NTIC, Emery Okundji, and Africa General Investment Limited (AGI). This « unbalanced » contract stripped the Congolese state of its revenues.
Indeed, the Prime Minister acted in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, following the interinstitutional meeting of 1 February 2019 during which this file was examined.
Thus, by its Decree N ° 19/07 of April 27, 2019, Bruno Tshibala also canceled the Ministerial Decisions signed by Emery Okundji on January 30, 2018 concerning the setting up of a mechanism for controlling the telephone traffic flows. networks of telecom operators in the DRC; and the designation of an operator responsible for installing and operating the control system for these flows.
« The Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and New Technologies of Information and Communication is responsible for the implementation of this Decree which comes into force on the date of its signature », stipulates Article 4 of the said Decree of the Prime Minister.
RE (READ OUT): PT-NTIC, an « unbalanced » contract strips the state of its revenues
This contract has been the subject of criticism denouncing glaring imbalances, which highlight the « leonine » nature of the partnership.
Simulations of the calculation of the rates applied to the taxes to be levied on the income of benefits of the ARPTC, the remuneration of the provider AGI would turn around 23 million dollars (85% of the total) per month, whereas the institution with which the company, without any recognized expertise in the telecom sector, would only benefit from $ 2.6 million (10% of the total). The icing on the cake, a so-called mixed commission was beneficiary of 1.3 million USD (5% of the total) per month. Where, the scandal!
RE (READ OUT): PT-NTIC, Tshisekedi orders the termination of the LEONIN AGI contract
The implementation of the decision of the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine tshisekedi, has the advantage of giving a strong message, in its first 100 days, for the cleansing of the business climate in the DRC, the fight against corruption and the casting of revenue from the state in the open.
It opposes the approach of any group of economic operators who, in complicity with some leaders, would try to eat away at the purchasing power of the Congolese people to further impoverish them in favor of their selfish interests.
It is also the opportunity for the Congolese State to invest 1 or 2 million dollars to equip the ARPTC to allow it to ensure the control of telephone flows optimally. This would effectively combat fraud in the telecommunications sector.
Emilie MBOYO
