The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, continues to struggle with cleanliness and infrastructure development. Despite the efforts of the Presidential Task Force for the sanitation of Kinshasa, many areas of the city remain unchanged. Places such as Pascal Square in Tshangu, Victory Square, Ngaba roundabout, the University of Kinshasa, Matadi Kibala, and the Selembao market still present an unsightly face.
According to reports, many vendors have reinvested in public spaces, contributing to the persistence of the problem. Furthermore, after the Task Force's cleanup efforts in certain areas, many citizens have continued to dispose of household waste and debris into the newly cleaned drains. This has resulted in Kinshasa continuing to offer a shameful and unsanitary spectacle.
To address this issue, the central government, through various ministries, including Environment and Sustainable Development, Infrastructure and Public Works, and Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare, must take concerted action to curb the behavior of citizens who resist change. One proposed solution is the creation of a public institution tasked with sanitizing major cities in the country.
This institution would be responsible for carrying out sustained efforts to clean up cities, rather than the sporadic actions currently undertaken by the Service National's builders. To effectively tackle the problem, brigades would be established in communes to oversee the cleanup efforts. This approach would also generate employment opportunities for young people affected by unemployment.
The behavior of citizens who contribute to the problem is largely attributed to a lack of popular education. To bring about a change in mentality, it is essential to involve the media and human rights organizations in a large-scale awareness campaign. The media, in particular, has a crucial role to play in shaping public opinion and promoting behavioral change.
Human rights organizations are also expected to play a key role in educating citizens about the consequences of their actions and the importance of adhering to the country's laws. By working together, the government, media, and human rights organizations can help bring about a change in mentality and behavior among Kinshasa's residents.
Ultimately, the goal is to give Kinshasa and other major cities in the country a face that is attractive and conducive to living. A clean and healthy environment has numerous benefits, particularly in terms of public health. It is up to the authorities to choose the best approach to achieve this goal and make Kinshasa and other cities meet international standards.
Key points
- The creation of a public institution tasked with sanitizing major cities in the country is proposed as a solution to the problem.
- The involvement of the media and human rights organizations in a large-scale awareness campaign is crucial to bringing about a change in mentality and behavior among citizens.
- Concerted action from various government ministries is necessary to curb the behavior of citizens who resist change and contribute to the cleanliness and development of Kinshasa.
