The Zando Market in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has descended into chaos just months after its renovation. The market's surroundings, which were recently constructed, have been overrun by vendors selling their goods along the streets. The five newly built avenues around the market are now filled with vendors, despite efforts to maintain order and free access to the market.
The situation is particularly dire on Avenue Rwakadingi, which connects directly to Kasa-Vubu and was recently expanded to 14 meters with two lanes in each direction. The avenue, along with others such as Avenue du Plateau and Avenue de l'École, has become congested with vendors and debris. The return of chaos to the area has been attributed to the absence of military personnel who previously maintained order.
A civil society actor expressed dismay at the situation, stating that many Congolese people seem to be beyond redemption and that it will be more challenging to educate adults than children. The actor emphasized the importance of instilling values such as civicism, hard work, patriotism, and discipline from an early age.
The renovation of the Zando Market was undertaken by the provincial government, with funding from Sofibanque and construction by Sodema. The project, launched in September 2022, resulted in a modern three-story building. However, despite the progress made, the market remains inoperational, leaving many Kinshasa residents wondering why it has not yet opened.
In recent months, the provincial government has accelerated efforts to improve the market's sanitation system, with a focus on upgrading collectors to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. According to expert Makunga, several initiatives have been implemented, including the clearing and refurbishment of collectors, construction of reinforced concrete walls, and the laying of pavement on certain sections.
The decline of Zando Market into chaos is a significant concern for the city of Kinshasa, which has been working to improve its infrastructure and public services. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the city in maintaining order and cleanliness in its public spaces.
As the situation at Zando Market continues to deteriorate, residents and authorities alike are calling for urgent action to restore order and functionality to the market. With the market's reopening uncertain, Kinshasa's efforts to modernize and improve its public spaces face an uphill battle against entrenched habits and behaviors.
Key points
- The Zando Market renovation project was launched in September 2022 and was funded by Sofibanque.
- The market's surroundings have been overrun by vendors, and garbage is piling up, contributing to the chaos.
- The provincial government has accelerated efforts to improve the market's sanitation system to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall.
