MIBA seeks government payment of $10 million relief to boost production | DRC

The CEO of MIBA stated that the production of this state enterprise is asphyxiated and that the payment of this support will relieve its cash flow which faces several charges.

“MIBA is bankrupt. Workers are hit by wage arrears. Some retire without receiving their exit package. And because the company no longer pays its social security contributions to the CNSS, retired agents are doomed to death. We have been working for over ten years but nothing changes. The status of MIBA is poor, we must not hide the truth. Its staff is the most unhappy at the moment in the whole Republic. Just boost the MIBA with what little we expect and you will see that we will produce thanks to our scales and our own means, without necessarily resorting to external partners. We have the mass 1 that is at the mining poligon. There is also another important relief that of Sassim towards Tshibue which is still a concession of MIBA,” said Paulin Lukusa, Director General of MIBA.

For his part, Deputy Finance Minister Junior Mata reassured them of the government’s support, which will take place in a short period of time.

For more than fifteen years, Bakwanga Mining (MIBA), a Congolese company producing industrial diamonds and jewellery, has been desperately seeking its revival through new financing to renew its work tool, pay staff and start diamond production. Several successive governments in recent years have not kept their word. There are more promises than concrete actions. Even the foreign partners of this former giant have not put their hands in the pocket.

All the steps taken by each other outside the country have yielded nothing. Yesterday’s milk cow continued to watch helplessly as it deteriorated. Its staff, which has been unpaid for several years, has looked better elsewhere for its survival. Some are in Lubumbashi, others in Kinshasa and even outside the country in search of wellness.