Identifying and Addressing Erosion: Kikwit’s Battle for Survival
In the heart of the Kwilu province lies Kikwit, the bustling economic hub facing a dire threat – erosion. The once vibrant avenues of this city are now being mercilessly devoured by this natural calamity, with no public policy in place to combat this alarming phenomenon.
According to a recent study conducted by the Department of Geography and Environment at the Kikwit Higher Pedagogical Institute, a staggering 425 erosion sites have been identified, with 365 avenues already succumbing to destruction, wiping out residential areas in this second-largest city of Kwilu. Neighborhoods like Kazamba, Lukemi, and Kanzombi bear the brunt of this devastation, especially exacerbated by torrential rains. The vital Kanzombi Boulevard, crucial for transporting agricultural produce from Bulungu to Kikwit, now lies impassable, leaving hundreds of families isolated.
A Cry for Help from the Heart of Kikwit
Local civil society voices grave concerns about the absence of an effective water drainage system and the unchecked urban sprawl that weakens the city’s very foundation. Laurent Bwenia, president of the Kikwit Civil Society, issues a stark warning, “The city of Kikwit, if not attended to, could vanish from the map, both at the provincial and national levels. There are 425 erosion sites. All slopes, like those of the Nzinda, Lwimi, Misengi, and Lukemi rivers, have erosion sites. 365 avenues are eroded, meaning they are being eaten away by erosion. It seems like a neglected city. If we truly belong to Congo, this is an alarm. Let us also be taken care of.”
Inadequate Local Efforts and Government Response
Local initiatives, including fundraising efforts in Kanzombi, were undertaken until July 2023 to stave off the looming threat. However, the collected sum of over 8 million Congolese francs fell short in containing this growing menace.
The provincial government of Kwilu made two attempts at anti-erosion projects in Kikwit, but these endeavors proved futile, allowing environmental damages to escalate alarmingly. The city stands at a critical juncture, teetering on the brink of a catastrophic future if immediate action is not taken to combat this relentless erosion.