Kinshasa: Demolition of illegal constructions along Funa river underway

The illegal constructions erected along the Funa River and its tributaries are the root cause of the numerous floods observed, particularly at the intersection of Boulevard Triomphal and Avenue des Huileries, in the municipalities of Lingwala; Kinshasa and Kasa-Vubu, to name just a few.

The provincial Government of Kinshasa, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (ITP), plans to proceed with demolitions in the very near future.

These illegal constructions disrupt the normal flow of water by narrowing the minor bed of the river. On site, one can notice the foundations of private houses built with durable materials.

Beyond this bitter observation, the Funa River has also been turned by the population into a true garbage dump, which completely blocks the normal circulation of water. Furthermore, one of the two tributaries of the Funa is completely obstructed by new buildings.”

To address this problem, the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Alain Tshilungu, acting on the instructions of Governor Daniel Bumba, has ordered the distribution of formal notices to the owners of the affected plots. The objective is to enforce the law after consultation with the Urban Planning Division and the Land Registry Office, which provided the necessary information. The decision to proceed with demolition is now irreversible in order to allow the river to regain its natural space.

Aware of the seriousness of the situation, local residents are calling on the authorities to act swiftly to save lives that are lost with each episode of heavy rainfall.

At this stage, it is now up to the Provincial Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works to take action in order to find a lasting solution to the recurrent flooding in this part of Kinshasa.

Communication Unit of the Provincial Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works – Kinshasa