The provincial government of Kinshasa, led by Governor Daniel Bumba, has embarked on an ambitious project to construct over 400 waste disposal sites across the capital city. This effort is part of the "Kinshasa Ezo Bonga" governance program, which aims to improve the city's sanitation and cleanliness. The project is being overseen by Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Alain Tshilungu. The goal is to restore Kinshasa's air quality to its former state.
The new waste disposal sites are designed to temporarily store waste before it is transported to technical burial centers. One such site, located at the intersection of Saio and Ngiringiri avenues in Ngiringiri commune, is nearing completion. These sites are being built with concrete walls, equipped with garbage bins, public lighting, and access gates. The infrastructure is intended to ensure better waste organization, safety, and proper facility operation.
To facilitate regular waste evacuation, the city government has acquired several hundred garbage trucks. These vehicles will transport waste to technical burial centers, such as the Mpasa site in N'sele commune, which was taken over by the city in 2024 after a legal and administrative battle. The provincial government plans to establish a waste collection and evacuation system as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve Kinshasa's sanitation.
Currently, multiple construction sites are open in various Kinshasa communes. The city government is urging residents to support and participate in the initiative, contributing to the proper functioning of these facilities to promote a cleaner and healthier environment. Kinshasa, with over 15 million inhabitants, has struggled with inadequate waste management for decades.
The city produces between 15,000 and 20,000 tons of waste daily, according to project data. This situation highlights the scale of the challenge facing provincial authorities in terms of sanitation. Kinshasa has become increasingly polluted, with widespread littering and anarchic construction. Authorities are working to demolish unauthorized structures to clean up the city.
The "Kinshasa Ezo Bonga" program is a key initiative aimed at transforming the city's governance and infrastructure. By addressing the issue of waste management, the government hopes to improve the overall quality of life for Kinshasa's residents. The project involves not only the construction of new waste disposal sites but also the rehabilitation of existing facilities.
As the project progresses, residents are being encouraged to take ownership of the initiative and work together with the authorities to maintain the new facilities. This collaborative approach is seen as essential to ensuring the long-term success of the project and creating a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of Kinshasa.
Key points
- The project aims to improve sanitation in Kinshasa by building over 400 waste disposal sites and acquiring hundreds of garbage trucks.
