EU, gov't sign US $73.8-million road building deal

The European Union (EU) and the Congolese government have signed a 40-billion-franc-CFA deal (US $73.85 million) to build a road linking the capital, Brazzaville, with the town of Kinkala in the Pool Department. Construction of the 68-kilometre road is expected to begin in June 2006 and be completed in 24 months. The government has already put out the job to international tender. The cost of the road is being borne entirely by the EU, which initially pledged the money in 2000. However, it withheld disbursement on several occasions due to armed banditry by ex-combatants in Pool. Infrastructure in the department was perhaps the most heavily damaged or destroyed by a series of wars from 1998. Now the situation has improved since the leader of the so-called Ninja militias, Frederic Bintsangou, started disarming his most reluctant fighters. Improving security has enabled the EU to recommit to releasing money for the road. Completion of the road will enable NGOs to bring development aid in the Pool, now that the emergency phase of their prior operations is over. The NGOs action will compliment the community action project that the government and the UN Development Programme launched on 30 November. This project is designed to improve living standards in areas most affected by war and to reintegrate young people who were most badly affected in Pool. The Japanese and Swedish governments are providing $1.6 million toward this effort that is to last 18 months.