Kinshasa set to light up with electricity for first time

Conflict and corruption in Democratic Republic of Congo means electricity is a luxury few can access, but all that is set to change in one neighbourhood of the capital Kinshasa. Duration: 01:51

Published

9 months ago

Categories

World, Science, Technology

Topics

World, Environment, Politics & Government, Africa, Energy

Places

Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa

Transcript

SCRIPT: Most people living in capital cities take electricity for granted, but here in Kimbanseke - a suburb of Kinshasa - candles and generators are the norm. But for the last 8 months workers have been laying miles of cables so residents can finally connect to the grid. SOUNDBITE 1 Béatrice Ndundu (woman) Kimbanseke resident (Lingala, 11 secs): These TVs don't work - there's a faulty current. If we could, we would use them. But we need generators and they don't last long, they always break down. The huge operation is being carried out by the Democratic Republic of Congo's electricity company - with help from more than a billion dollars of aid from The World Bank. In total more than 60,000 homes will be connected. SOUNDBITE 2 Daniel Pembele (man) Director of SNEL distribution projects (French, 12 secs): I think with all the provisions in place, in the end there will be an improvement in the distribution of electricity Years of mismanagement, conflicts and endemic corruption have led to widespread poverty and insecurity in the DRC and only one in ten people have access to electricity. Little surprise then that the first recipients of the new network are fiercly protective. SOUNDBITE 3 Eric Kenzo (man) Kimbaske resident (Lingala, 20 secs): We'll burn alive anyone caught stealing cables. We won't take them to the police because they will be freed by corrupt police. They'll serve as an example to other potential thieves. As well as expanding the network, the government is also constructing several dams - but the power generated will mainly go to the country's mining companies and to South Africa. Even so, little by little in Kimbanseke power is reaching the people. ---------------------------------------------------------- SHOTLIST: KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo . 31 MARCH 2014 SOURCE: AFPTV VAR workers installing electricity lines in Kimbanseke MS Béatrice Ndundu SOUNDBITE 1 Béatrice Ndundu (woman) Kimbanseke resident VAR workers installing electricity lines in Kimbanseke MS Daniel Pembele in his office SOUNDBITE 2 Daniel Pembele (man) Director of SNEL distribution projects VAR workers installing electricity lines in Kimbanseke Kimbanseke VAR generator VAR residents SOUNDBITE 3 Eric Kenzo (man) Kimbaske resident VAR electicity pylons File footage of INGA dan in DRC VAR residents of Kimbanseke