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South Africa: SA to Assist in DRC Infrastructure Development
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
15 November 2007
Posted to the web 15 November 2007
David Masango
Pretoria
South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see infrastructure development in the DRC.
In terms of the MoU, South Africa will assist the DRC in developing its infrastructure which will be crucial in growing the country socia-economically.
The MoU was signed by the Minister of Public Works Thoko Didiza, and the DRC Ambassador to South Africa Bene Mpoko, on Thursday.
Some of the issues covered by the MoU are
- asset register issues whereby all government assets are identified, registered, maintained and rehabilitated;
- labour-intensive methods in infrastructure development so as to create jobs, reduce poverty and train artisans;
- development of rural areas;
- facilitation of capacity building and registration of all professionals in the built environment;
- building of Kinshasa Airport; and
- the improvement and certification of construction materials.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Minister Didiza said the signing was a landmark event because of the importance of its contents.
"I am happy that today we have reached this milestone because we all know that infrastructure is crucial for the two countries and for the African continent, because it is important for the socio-economic development of our people," she said.
The minister explained that South Africa would assist the DRC to rehabilitate the infrastructure that was destroyed during years of conflict there, to build new ones and to maintain it.
Ambassador Mpoko said the occasion was a milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
"As you are aware our President [Laurent Kabila] has identified the development of infrastructure in the DRC as priority number one.
"For a country to develop you need basic infrastructure, and you must maintain that infrastructure," he said.
He told the gathering that his country had not built anything in 40 years while there was war and whatever little infrastructure existed was destroyed during the war.
In that light, the Congolese have very limited experience and expertise in infrastructure development, he pointed out.
The ambassador explained that the DRC had signed an agreement with China that would provide it with financial resources and technology but said South Africa's role was important in providing Congolese people with much-needed skills to be able to participate in any infrastructure development that would take place in the DRC.
"This MoU will provide us with training so that we can participate in the construction of infrastructure that will be happening, we cannot stand aside while there are projects that are going on in our country," Ambassador Mpoko said.
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