Belgium to fund infrastructure rehab projects in capital

Belgium will finance infrastructure rehabilitation projects totalling US $1.8 million in various neighbourhoods of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Belgian foreign aid office announced on Wednesday. In the neighborhood of Kimbanseke, $251,877 will be invested in the reconstruction of the sewerage system and the repair of roads and bridges, while some $489,950 will be used for the rehabilitation of the St. Joseph primary school. In Ndjili, some $193,972 will be spent to rebuild the St. Vincent de Paul professional training centre and buy teaching supplies. Another $464,942 is earmarked for a professional training school and community centre in the Mont Gafula neighborhood. In the commune of Mpumpu, $461,625 will be used for repair of road damage caused by erosion. "These programmes are characterised by collaboration among various organisations and the Congolese people for the improvement of living conditions," Eddy Boutmans, Belgium's state secretary for development cooperation, said. "I hope that in 2002 the world community will not forget the DRC," he added. "I especially hope that the new year will bring to an end the impoverishment of the DRC caused by those who enrich themselves by benefiting from the war to plunder the country." Boutmans said that Belgium donated $35.9 million in 2001 for development projects in the Congo. The money was channeled through NGOs, UN organisations, bilateral cooperation, humanitarian aid and educational cooperation.