For about 2 years, the Avenue de l’Université road has been in deterioration on certain sections, including the distance between the Ezo roundabout and the Kikwit stop. This road which is located between the communes of Limete and Kalamu connects the Ngaba roundabout to the Victoire roundabout or the Catholic University of Congo.
The dilapidation of this road, which has become almost impassable, affects the daily movements of residents, students, traders, pupils as well as public transport drivers who use it.
Like the puddles of water which do not move and which upset pedestrians who cannot cross to the other side. The residents of this area express their concerns about this situation.
“This road really affects us, especially since there is mud and water everywhere. There’s not even a way to pass for fear of getting our shoes dirty. And if you have a car, you have to park it somewhere or take a detour to get home,” says Jullys Tshiala, a mother.
Another resident talks about transportation difficulties.
“We have a very serious problem as residents of this neighborhood. The road is so distorted that we are forced to travel long distances to take transport because the vehicles do not reach the roundabout. The drivers don’t help us and especially when it rains, the price of transport increases. And the stops are flooded,” explains Plamedie Mayasi, student.
Public transport drivers also expressed their concerns about the road, particularly in terms of financial revenue.
“There are a lot of problems here, with our leaders it no longer works because we bring in little money because of the holes everywhere, the traffic jams. Since we were expecting a change until now, there is nothing. Our suffering is that there are no more resources. This route brought us a lot of money thanks to students from Unikin, UPN, traders, etc. “, explains Junior Sisco, taxi driver.
And to add:
“May the authorities help us because today we have almost nothing, the little we earn is used to repair the engines, the tires.”
Local sellers are also affected by the state of the road and the problems it causes. A bottled water seller explains that his sales have fallen by more than 50%.
“For some time now, I left banditry to sell water. Since the road is in this state, my sales have decreased although before, I sold up to 5 packages per day. Lately I only sell one or two packs. I don’t know if I should return to my previous life because the authorities do not take into account the situation of the population,” he testifies.
The deterioration of the roads in Kinshasa remains one of the major daily challenges of Kinshasa, with direct consequences on the cost of living, road safety and economic activity.
Read also:Kinshasa: the University road in a state of advanced disrepair at Yolo Ezo
Charming Nzuzi, UCC intern
Â
