In a reflection received by the editorial staff, Kevin Bolamba holds national and local authorities accountable. "When fuel shortages threaten the stability of urban mobility, the role of local and national authorities becomes critical in mitigating impacts on the daily lives of citizens.," he stated. To effectively manage fuel shortages, this former gubernatorial candidate in the April 2024 election advises "transparent communication" from both the national and provincial governments.

"Authorities must maintain transparent communication with the public by providing frequent updates on the fuel supply situation. Channels such as websites, social media, and press releases can be used to disseminate crucial information to road users," he suggested. However, he also called for coordination of fuel stock deliveries during this period of the oil crisis in Kinshasa. "Collaborate with fuel suppliers to coordinate deliveries strategically. Identify at-risk areas and ensure equitable distribution to avoid massive concentrations of demand in specific regions.," he noted.

In his reflection, Kevin Bolamba also extrapolated by mentioning other modes of transportation that would reduce fuel demand, particularly promoting sustainable and non-polluting transport by the government. For him, it is necessary to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transportation, such as public transit and cycling. He also suggested developing specific emergency plans to cope with fuel shortages. "This, taking into account lessons learned from previous crises. Effective crisis management mechanisms can minimize disruptions while ensuring safety and mobility of citizens.," he remarked.

He also insisted on collaboration between citizens, local authorities, and fuel suppliers. A collaboration deemed "essential" to ensure an effective response to this type of situation.

Disruptions in the sale of petroleum products for more than a week in Kinshasa. Gas stations are experiencing difficulties restocking from suppliers. A situation that has led to a fuel shortage in the city. The few stations that still have a small stock are forced to ration their products. The reasons for this shortage are related to the unpaid oil debt by the Congolese government. Emery Mbatshi Bope, president of the Association of Private Oil Companies of the DRC, informs that the government has only paid about 30% of the total amount estimated at roughly 400 million US dollars.

Rody Efomi