The director-general of Regie de distribution d’eau (REGIDESO), David Tshilumba Mutombo, said the public utility sustained significant damage during Kinshasa’s road modernization projects. Speaking on Top Congo FM on December 1, he noted that REGIDESO recorded about 1.4 million dollars’ worth of damaged pipes and more than 8,000 customer disconnections. He also acknowledged a decline in the company’s performance in the second half of 2025.

In October, REGIDESO said it had already sent repair cost estimates to the contractors responsible for the roadworks. Tshilumba added that several cases have now been referred to the courts. “When we go to court, the results are better. Last week, we recovered a payment of 100,000 dollars,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Technical Control Office (BTC) reported in June that progress on certain road projects had been delayed because machinery was repeatedly striking underground installations belonging to the national electricity company SNEL and REGIDESO. “Whenever our equipment hits these installations, we either get cracks or full pipe bursts that cause major leaks. This slows us down because we have to wait for repairs before continuing,” said Emile Imela, BTC’s permanent controller, as quoted by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).

To improve coordination across public works, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) published a manual of administrative and technical procedures in August. Developed with input from several public agencies, including the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), the Roads Office, the Road and Drainage Office (OVD), SNEL and REGIDESO, the document aims to standardize how public utility infrastructure is deployed and strengthen coordination among the institutions involved in urban projects.

Timothée Manoke