DRC Election: Kanyi Nzia to push for Aru power dam construction

By Andrew Cohen Amvesi      

DRC. The former Aru Territorial Member of Parliament (MP), Donatien Kanyi Nzia who served at the national level in Kinshasa from 2006 to 2011 is among the 287 candidates vying for Aru Territorial Parliamentary seats in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Of the 287 candidates who have shown interest, the first six will emerge victorious in an election to be conducted tomorrow (Wednesday December 20, 2023).

During his reign, Nzia was an opposition MP to the government of Joseph Kabila, the former President of DRC.

After 12 years of rest, Nzia is now threatening to bounce back, this time round, as a member of UDPS, a ruling party led by President Felix Tshisekedi.

While concluding his campaigns on Monday, Nzia asked the voters in Aru to consider voting him back to Parliament so that he can follow up the Aru power dam project they earlier fronted to the government during their era in Parliament.

“Together with my colleagues in 2008, we requested the government to construct a dam on River Nzoro in Kaliko, Aru. The dam was supposed to supply electricity to the entire Aru Territory and Faraz. The government agreed to release USD100m for the project and electricity poles in some areas were fixed to that effect,” Nzia said.

Nzia noted that the said money was later released by the government but when they were voted out, nobody followed it up.

“Some people decided to sit on that money and that is why the project never picked up. Now that I’m a member of the ruling party, I request you my people to vote for me so that I can go back to Parliament to remind the government about the Aru power project and also follow up, to find out who sat on the USD100m which was earlier released,” Nzia remarked to the applause of the voters.

Nzia said once Aru gets electricity, it will be very easy for the locals to come out of poverty, adding that people will be able to establish factories which will in turn create jobs for the youths.

“Our people have the potential to go into manufacturing of goods if we have abundant power. Those who can’t do that will be able to venture into wielding businesses, saloons, hotels and many other businesses that need power. So, to me, the issue of electricity in Aru Territory is the first thing I will push for if elected as MP,” Nzia said.

“This time it will be very easy for me to lobby for the power project from the government, extension of clean water services, road construction projects and many other things that the people of Aru are lacking. I want to use this opportunity to go and fight for what the people of Aru deserve from the government of DRC from inside there,” Nzia promised.

Nzia said he will do all the lobbying in collaboration with his other five colleagues who will be elected. Nzia’s vote number is 195 on the ballot of the candidates to be elected on Wednesday.