Mbanza-Kongo – The governor of the province of Zaire, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, recognized, on Monday, in the town of Cuimba, the crucial role played by churches in the most difficult moments in the country's history.
Adriano Mendes de Carvalho said it during a thanksgiving service, which marked the 49th anniversary of National Independence, which is celebrated on Nov 11.
He added that the church, as society's moral reserve, has always been the critical voice of colonial oppression that for five centuries placed Angolans to various abuses, as well as contributing, significantly, to achieving the definitive peace that the country has enjoyed for 22 years.
Adriano Mendes de Carvalho said that the church also played a crucial role in the instruction and training of many national cadres who today occupy top positions in the national political chessboard.
“The Govt recognizes the church's role in the fight for national independence and in achieving definitive peace. We will continue to count on the church in the process of national reconciliation, in the pacification of spirits, in the education of young people and in the preservation of the achieved goals”, he highlighted.
On the occasion, the government official announced some social projects, which in the coming months could be implemented throughout the province of Zaire, with emphasis on the education, health, water and communication sectors.
He referred, as an example, to the application, for the 1st time, of the asphalt carpet on national road 120, which connects Mbanza-Kongo to the border commune of Buela, passing through the municipal headquarters of Cuimba.
Over a length of around 90 km, said the governor, work on the aforementioned road will begin in the 1st quarter of 2025, following approval from the President of the Republic in terms of financing.
It should be noted that the municipal seat of Cuimba is the only one of the 6 that make up the region that is not yet connected to the capital of the province of Zaire (Mbanza-Kongo), by a paved road.
Before heading to the village of Cuimba, which is approximately 62 km from the main municipality, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, in the early hours of Monday, laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
In his homily, the reverend of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Angola, Tanda José, asked Christians, in particular, and the population, in general, to continue to pray and preserve independence and peace.
The thanksgiving service brought together thousands of faithful from different religious denominations, members of the Government, politicians, representatives of defense and internal order bodies, traditional authorities, deputies and people in general.
DA/JL/CF/DOJ
