Revitalized Sino-Congolese Program Promises Rigorous Oversight and Expertise
Following a prolonged period of inactivity, the revitalization of the Sino-Congolese program sets a new pace, emphasizing expertise and rigorous oversight to avoid past mistakes.
Freddy Yodi Shembo, Director General of the Agency for steering, coordination, and monitoring of collaboration agreements between the DRC and private partners (APCSC), emphasized the importance of expertise in all project activities during a press briefing organized by the Minister of Communication and Media on March 19, 2024.
Shembo highlighted the APCSC’s commitment to permanent and meticulous control, utilizing the expertise of the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT) and the Technical Control Bureau (BTC) to enhance project monitoring.
He emphasized the necessity of expert consultations to ensure the accuracy of project costs, underscoring the APCSC’s dedication to truth and transparency.
The briefing covered the APCSC’s missions, areas of focus, priority projects, and future outlook, including the signing of Amendment No. 5 to the “mines for infrastructure” contract and the reactivation of the Sino-Congolese program.
Responding to inquiries about Chinese earnings from the “mines for infrastructure” project, Shembo outlined the prerequisite steps, including financial and technical audits, to accurately determine profits.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to establish independent audits in collaboration with Gecamines and Sicomines to guide future decisions.
Regarding the renegotiation of the Chinese contract resulting in a $7 billion gain, Shembo acknowledged the country’s substantial deficit and emphasized the selection of integrative projects to enhance connectivity and infrastructure development across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
