Deliveries of goods and food to the city of Kikwit in Kwilu Province have been severely disrupted by the poor condition of the road linking the city to Bulungu Territory. The situation has worsened with the return of heavy rains, making the road nearly impassable. The 35-kilometer Kikwit-Bumbaputa agricultural feeder road is now completely blocked.

According to farmer Claude Uzimesa from Bumbaputa, cited by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP), repeated rainfall has eroded the dirt road, washing out several sections and cutting off vehicle access. The situation has isolated rural communities that rely on Kikwit for manufactured goods and is preventing farmers from moving their produce to market.

Threat to Agricultural Hub

In the Kipuka sector, residents are struggling to sell their harvests, while traders in Kikwit face difficulties delivering essential goods to the isolated areas. In response, young volunteers have carried out temporary repairs, but their efforts have not stopped the ongoing degradation of the road, worsened by years without regular upkeep.

Bulungu Territory, one of Kwilu’s main farming regions, hosts several production zones supported by government programs. However, the widespread deterioration of feeder roads is seriously hindering the transport of crops. Civil society groups are calling for the urgent repair of the RN19, the main 100-kilometer road connecting Bulungu and Kikwit.

In June, a team of engineers from the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT) visited the region to gather technical data for a new 65-kilometer modern road, but an official start date has yet to be announced.

Ronsard Luabeya