When a fundamental right becomes a luxury, anger and indignation must be the rallying cry. In Goma, drinking water, this vital substance that usually flows from our taps, has become as precious as gold. Even in our worst nightmares, we did not think that one day, the citizens of Goma would be faced with such a humanitarian crisis.
Goma, a city located in the province of North Kivu, has been grappling with a drinking water crisis for a week that endangers the lives of its inhabitants. The silence of the authorities in the face of this situation is not only disconcerting, but also criminal. When citizens have to wake up at 4 a.m. and travel more than three kilometers to get drinking water, it is unacceptable.
The Coordination of Catholic Lay People (CLC) diocese of Goma has appealed to the Military Governor of North Kivu, Lieutenant-General Ndima Kongba Constant, to take urgent measures. The CLC suggested setting up two water supply points in each neighborhood of Goma. However, it is clear that this solution is only temporary and does not address the underlying problem.
The Mont Goma site, built by Mercy Corps three years ago, remains unexploited, a real aberration in the face of the current crisis. Why has the provincial authority not made it operational to solve this water shortage?
Faced with this crisis, the inhabitants of Goma are exposed to a multitude of risks: drownings, kidnappings, rapes, traffic accidents, and hygiene-related diseases. The lack of drinking water is not just a comfort issue, but a survival issue.
The CLC also invited Kinshasa to mobilize its partners to finance projects that would facilitate access to drinking water for the population of North Kivu, and particularly the city of Goma. But so far, the calls to action remain unanswered.
It is high time that the authorities take their responsibilities. The lives of Goma’s citizens are at stake. The people have the right to wonder why their leaders continue to turn a deaf ear to such a crisis.
The water shortage in Goma must be a priority for the government. The people of Goma have suffered enough. It is time to act, to show humanity and to respect the fundamental rights of every citizen.
This critical situation requires swift and decisive action. The authorities must take immediate measures to ensure access to drinking water for all. It’s a matter of life or death. Therefore, it is imperative that the government become aware of the severity of the situation and act accordingly. The people of Goma can no longer wait.
Magloire Tsongo from Goma