MP MARCEL DANDU EKUTU DEMANDS ACTION AS EROSION CRISIS DEVASTATES LISALA
National Assembly member Marcel Dandu Ekutu has called out the Congolese government for what he described as “criminal indifference” to the worsening erosion crisis in Lisala, Mongala province. In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the legislator submitted an oral question with debate directed to the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Public Works, Alexis Gisaro.
The MP is demanding clear explanations from the minister about the government’s lack of response to the growing environmental disaster that has been eating away at Lisala for over four decades. “No one has thought of finding solutions to this situation,” Dandu lamented, accusing successive administrations of ignoring a catastrophe that has already claimed lives and destroyed hundreds of homes.
The erosions, locally known as “têtes d’érosion,” have become a nightmare for residents, swallowing entire sections of land and displacing families every rainy season. “People are dying, homes are collapsing, and families are being left homeless,” said Dandu. “Each rainfall deepens the wounds of this city.”
The lawmaker recalled that he had already submitted a detailed memorandum to the Minister of Infrastructure in September 2024, warning of the impending disaster and outlining practical measures — including the construction of drainage channels to redirect rainwater into the Congo River. Despite receiving assurances from the ministry at the time, no tangible progress has been seen since.
“The minister promised us that a solution would be found,” Dandu said. “But several months later, nothing has been done. Just last week, heavy rains caused further destruction. This cannot continue. The government must take responsibility.”
Lisala’s erosion crisis is not new, but its intensity has increased dramatically in recent years. Experts blame poor urban planning, deforestation, and unregulated construction, compounded by the absence of effective drainage systems. Local residents say the erosion has advanced so far that some neighborhoods risk disappearing entirely within a few years.
For Dandu, the situation represents more than an environmental issue — it is a moral and political failure. “One of the government’s key responsibilities is to protect its citizens,” he emphasized. “What we are witnessing in Lisala is abandonment. People feel forgotten by their own leaders.”
The MP’s intervention has reignited public debate about environmental neglect across the country, particularly in regions where natural disasters have become more frequent. Civil society groups in Mongala have praised Dandu’s initiative and called for urgent parliamentary oversight missions to assess the extent of the damage.
By submitting his oral question with debate, Dandu hopes to compel the government to treat erosion control as a national priority rather than a local inconvenience. “We are not asking for miracles,” he said. “We are asking for seriousness, commitment, and respect for human life.”
As Lisala continues to crumble under the weight of neglect, Dandu’s words echo the frustration of millions of Congolese citizens who live daily with the consequences of poor governance — waiting for a state that too often looks away.