Construction of 150 schools in the DRC: Tony Mwaba places particular emphasis on meeting construction deadlines

"In our country, we have noticed that we often hold groundbreaking ceremonies but then fail to complete the project. This is because, very often, the companies hired to assist us disappear after the groundbreaking. I would not want that to be the case for the EPST," said the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education, Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi, addressing the company Global Innovation SARL during the launch of the program to build 150 schools at Maman Antoinette Primary School in the municipality of Maluku. This school, which has been in a state of severe disrepair for a long time, will also benefit from the work that will contribute to its rehabilitation. The EPST director’s remarks serve as a warning regarding the need to adhere to project deadlines to put an end to the practice of launching unfinished projects, which has become commonplace in the country. Professor Tony Mwaba informed the representative of Global Innovation SARL that he has instructed the local EPST authorities to oversee this project and to be regularly on-site, as part of the weekly inspection day established every Wednesday by his Authority, to ensure compliance with his instructions and the efficiency of the work.   "All the provincial officials you see here have already been notified. They will all come by on Wednesdays to monitor the progress of the work. So avoid going to jail, because if you fail to honor your commitment, we will take you into custody and bring you directly before the nearest judicial authority. But I know that won’t be the case for you. So, we must be serious, and we want to return here in seven months to inaugurate this building,” said the minister before proceeding to lay the cornerstone. On the same occasion, Professor Tony Mwaba announced to the audience the completion of feasibility studies for the reconstruction of Lufungula 5 Primary School as well as the construction of the Institute and Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Primary School, for which work will soon begin.   Professor Tony Mwaba also took this opportunity to thank the Head of State for his vision of free public primary education, as well as the supporting measures taken to address the effects of this reform, notably the project for the construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure included in the comprehensive development program for 145 territories.   Shortly before the minister’s remarks, Éloïs Kumbo, Director-General of the National Directorate for the Construction, Maintenance, Rehabilitation, and Management of School Infrastructure, reviewed the technical details of this project. This involves a contract for the construction of 150 schools awarded to the company Global Innovation SARL, in addition to the 1,200 schools included in the 145 Territories project.   The Maman Antoinette Primary School site is one of nine pilot sites where work will be carried out simultaneously across the entire country. For this school, the project calls for the construction of an administrative building, a separate building for latrines, and a multipurpose hall, all to be completed within seven months.   The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary General of the EPST, the Inspector General of the EPST, and several senior officials from the sub-sector. Christian BELLA