The Major Challenges of the Water Sector in the DRC at the Center of Concerns
On the occasion of the World Water Day 2024 celebrated under the theme “Water for Peace,” the organizations and networks of the environmental civil society, gathered within the Climate Working Group REDD+ Renovated (GTCRR), have expressed their concerns regarding the current management of the water sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Reflecting on the current situation and the challenges faced, these organizations have formulated recommendations aimed at improving governance in this crucial sector.
The DRC benefits from a significant water network, providing a hydroelectric potential of at least 100,000 megawatts, promoting irrigation, and facilitating navigation along nearly 25,000 kilometers of waterways. However, despite this wealth of water resources, the country faces a low rate of access to safe water, hovering around 50%, one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the weak governance in the water sector, characterized by overlapping and conflicting institutional mandates, constitutes a major impediment to the adequate management of these vital resources.
Climate change has a considerable impact on the current water system, leading to disruptions in daily life, including extreme phenomena such as heavy rains, floods, and prolonged periods of drought. The recent low occurrences of floods, especially in 2022 and 2023, raise significant concerns about the country’s vulnerability to such events.
Recommendations for Improved Management
To overcome these challenges, the environmental civil society organizations have put forward several recommendations. These include accelerating the revision of legal texts governing the water sector, supporting technical services such as Metelsat, INERA, the Inland Waterways Authority, SNHR, and CNAEHA in their respective roles, as well as mobilizing financial and human resources for the effective implementation of national climate change adaptation plans.
The recommendations issued by these environmental civil society organizations offer concrete pathways to improve governance and management of the water sector, underscoring the crucial importance of this issue for the country’s future.
This declaration calls for collective awareness and decisive actions to ensure the preservation and sustainable management of water resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a fundamental issue for the well-being of communities and national prosperity.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama