Mbanza Congo – The governor of the province of Zaire, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, on Wednesday, in Mbanza Congo asked for intervention from the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, in the fight against fuel smuggling to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
When presenting the report on the province's social and economic situation at the meeting chaired by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, the governor of the province said that the phenomenon is taking on alarming dimensions and requires intervention by the Head of State.
“There will be no development in the region if this phenomenon is not stopped, Mr President. No one accepts coming to Zaire and waiting more than four hours in a queue just to be able to refuel their vehicle”, the governor said during the meeting that brought together, as well as members of the local government, state ministers and ministers.
According to the governor, thousands of tanker trucks loaded with fuel every day go to the city of Mbanza Congo, but in the last few hours the filling stations for these petroleum products have been so empty.
However, to discourage this illicit business, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho requests the installation of scanners at the region's main border posts with the DRC.
He added that the installation of this equipment along the border would also contribute to the fight against other related crimes that occur on the border perimeter, with emphasis on drug and human trafficking, as well as the smuggling of goods.
Despite these adversities, the government of the province of Zaire remains engaged and committed to the social and economic development of the region in the most varied areas.
Adriano Mendes de Carvalho also presented other concerns that still afflict local inhabitants, in the areas of education, health, transport, roads, agriculture, environment, water and electricity.
The agenda of the President of the Republic, who is accompanied by the first lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, reserves, in the afternoon, a guided tour of the works at the General Hospital of Zaire.
The construction of the health unit began in 2014 and is scheduled for completion in August 2025 and has a capacity for 290 beds.
The project is budgeted at around USD 87 million and will include intensive care services for adults, pediatrics and newborns, hemodialysis, rehabilitation, imaging, operating rooms, among others.
The infrastructure is located on the outskirts of the city of Mbanza Congo and occupies an area of 27,000 square meters.
The President of the Republic returns to Luanda in the afternoon. JL/DA/VIC/MRA/DOJ
