Demolition Campaign in Kinshasa: Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Alain TSHILUNGU, Responds to Kinshasa elected representative.

June 11, 2025 – After responding to a current affairs question from elected representative Guylain POHUNGU MALAMBA on Wednesday, June 4, regarding the campaign to demolish illegal structures in the capital, the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Alain TSHILUNGU, again addressed the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly this Wednesday, June 11.

During a continuation plenary session, presided over by the Vice-President of the Provincial Assembly, Germaine TSHINYAMA— in the absence of President Lévi MBUTA, who was away—this member of Governor Daniel BUMBA’s team responded to the concerns of the provincial elected representatives. He notably addressed the mapping of the areas involved, the scheduling and outlook of the operation, summarizing over 40 questions into 10 main categories.

Alain TSHILUNGU engaged in an educational explanation by defining the concept of illegal construction. According to him, demolitions in the city follow a well-defined schedule.

“Illegal constructions are those that do not comply with urban planning standards. Inappropriate constructions are those that are architecturally correct but built in unsuitable or undefined areas. The demolition operations we are carrying out follow a specific program.”

The interventions are based on urgency and environmental impacts. On this basis, we examined the root causes of road deterioration and identified several sites. We prioritized certain areas where immediate action was needed to clear riverbanks and riverbeds, thereby preventing floods,” the Minister said.

One of the triggers for this campaign was the recent April floods, which claimed the lives of over 60 residents of Kinshasa. Among the affected neighborhoods is Ndanu. The Minister was straight: this area is flood-prone, and it is imperative to relocate the population. He also emphasized that the riverbank embankment project is ineffective.

Demolitions began from Kintambo Station to Ngaliema Bay, passing through Avenue Mapenza and Avenue de la Paix. The authorities are particularly targeting areas around Kintambo Hospital along the Makelele River. “Today, illegal constructions account for 80% of the flooding in the city of Kinshasa,” the Minister stated. “In our campaign, we are currently working in Ngaliema Bay, but next we will move behind Kintambo Hospital, past Ndaya Avenue. This area has been flood-prone for many years, and it is well known. The flooding you are witnessing today on OUA Avenue is because the Makelele River can no longer flow freely,” the Minister explained.

The ongoing demolitions are legally grounded, among other provisions, in Ordinance-Law No. 73-021 of July 20, 1973, on the general regime of property, land, and real estate, as well as in Interministerial Decree No. 0021 of October 29, 1993. The main objective is to reclaim public land, riverbanks, and riverbeds, with a vision of making Kinshasa a more livable city, in line with Governor Bumba’s action program, “Kinshasa Ezo Bonga.”

Communication Unit – Provincial Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (MINITP-Kinshasa)