Deteriorated RN4 Road Section Luna-Komanda: A Critical Situation
The RN4 road section between Luna and Komanda in Ituri province is facing a dire situation as the dry season approaches this January. Users have raised alarms about the road’s deteriorating condition, rendering it virtually unusable for vehicles of any kind. Mud pits, potholes, and overgrown vegetation now dominate the roadway, forcing even motorcycle taxi drivers, the only ones braving the route, to endure treacherous conditions.
User Complaints and Economic Impact
Motorcycle taxi drivers have reported spending over 7 hours to traverse a section that should take only 3 hours, highlighting the severe degradation of the road. They describe the road as impassable, with its former dimensions lost to disrepair. The dire state of the road not only poses a significant safety risk due to the poor condition but also exacerbates security concerns, with reports of Congolese soldiers extorting money from drivers without providing receipts.
This critical situation is not only affecting the safety and convenience of road users but also has far-reaching economic consequences for the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Vehicles carrying goods have begun avoiding the Luna-Komanda route altogether, opting for secondary roads for commercial activities. This shift in transportation routes has led to a significant disruption in the economy, with drivers lamenting the use of agricultural service roads by both small and large vehicles, putting them at risk of accidents and other hazards.
Security Concerns and Isolation of Localities
The advanced deterioration of the Luna-Komanda road section has further compounded security challenges, with ADF rebels frequently setting up ambushes along the route. Tragically, in mid-December, five civilians lost their lives in an attack while returning from Komanda to the town of Manzobe on motorcycles. As a result, all communities along this route are becoming increasingly isolated, cut off from essential services and resources.
Dieubon Mughenze, a driver in Beni, sums up the frustration and urgency of the situation, expressing dismay at the state of affairs that force vehicles to avoid the designated national highway in favor of risky alternate routes. The need for immediate government intervention to rehabilitate the Luna-Komanda road section is paramount to ensure the safety, security, and economic viability of the region.