MP Jean-Marie Bulambo warns against non-compliance with the governor’s measures suspending mining in Mwenga, DRC
National deputy Jean-Marie Bulambo Kilosho describes the failure to respect Governor Théo Ngwabidje Kasi’s measure banning mining in Mwenga. In an address to the press, he notes that, despite this decree, activities have resumed normally and with consequences for the activities of the peasants.
“You pretended to stop to say good we are stopping these operations. These people are still exploiting with the same custodians. We are keeping an eye on you, ”said MP Bulambo Kilosho, addressing the governor.
Unfounded allegations according to the provincial government of South Kivu. In an address to the press, the spokesperson for the provincial government, accompanied by a few ministers, described the MP’s allegations as disinformation and defamatory.
“The reality is that it was the provincial government that first noticed the irregularities that punctuate the exercise of activities carried out by several mining companies in which expatriates had majority shares. Based on this observation, the Provincial Governor created the commission responsible for verifying the qualifications of expatriates working in the mining sector. Taking into account various reports of the commission (those of December, February and June) which highlighted the illegality of mining activities by most mining companies and mining cooperatives, the provincial authority took the decree suspension of the activities of certain mining companies and their partner cooperatives operating in the territory of Mwenga ”,the provincial government justifies itself.
And add.
“This decision of the provincial authority was greeted by the upper hierarchy, which did not delight some politicians who, instead of joining efforts with those of the province in the fight against anti-values and mining fraud, opted for disinformation and defamation, ”adds the provincial government through its spokesperson.
In the same address, allegations of a retro-commission of $ 600,000 received from Chinese companies were dismissed by the provincial government.
It should be noted that in South Kivu, the governor’s adviser on mines, Safanto Bulongo resigned for personal reasons. A commission has been deployed to the field to investigate mining in Mwenga. It is led by the deputy Jean-Claude Kibala Nkold. She has already tabled her report in the office pending debate in plenary.