Mbanza Kongo — Large-scale fuel smuggling into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in enormous losses for the national economy, as the product escapes border taxation mechanisms.

The statement was made by the Attorney-General of the Republic, Hélder Pitta Gróz, who spoke to the press this Monday, after observing, at the Nkanga Nguvo border post, Luvo commune, Mbanza Kongo municipality, the mechanisms that smugglers use to carry out their action.

To reverse the situation, the top magistrate advocated the engagement of the entire society in combating this evil, as he understands that the population has a duty to assist the authorities in implementing measures to stop the phenomenon.

According to Hélder Pitta Gróz, the same phenomenon also occurs with medicines and basic food products that are purchased by the Executive to meet internal needs, but are many times re-exported to the DRC.

He explained that his trip to Zaire Province aims to verify on the ground the mechanisms used to operationalize the smuggling of fuel and other products.

"We are here with the intention of seeing the situation in the province, mainly the borders, what is happening with fuel, medicines and basic food products that constantly leave the country for the DRC", he highlighted.

The PGR delegation, accompanied by the provincial governor, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, also noted the Luvo border and customs post with the DRC, which is 60 kilometers north of the city of Mbanza Kongo.

The 48-hour visit to Zaire also includes meetings with some bodies involved in the administration of justice in the region.

DA/PMV/JL/CF/jmc