DR Congo: Official launch of the FSRIP

By Badylon Kawanda Bakiman

The activities of the “Forest and Savannah Restauration Investment Program” (FSRIP), one of the Congolese government's programs, have just begun in Kwilu province in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Félicien Kiway, acting governor of the aforementioned province, officially launched these activities on Friday, November 08, 2024 in Kikwit, the province's economic-political city, at Hôtel Marinele, in the Lukolela commune.

The colorful ceremony was attended by a number of personalities, including provincial government ministers, several members of the provincial security council, the provincial environment coordinator, administrators from the five territories that make up Kwilu, the mayor of the town of Kikwit, civil society organizations working in the environmental field, traditional chiefs, the press and other distinguished guests.

“It is an honor for me to speak before your august assembly today to support, at Kwilu province level, the launch of the project that was brought to Kinshasa on October 14, 2024 by Her Excellency Eve Bazaiba, Minister of State, Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The project is called Forest and Savannah Restauration Investment Program” (FSRIP, for short). Worth 300 million US dollars and financed by the World Bank, the project covers seven provinces, including Kwilu, over a seven-year period. In fact, as recently as exactly two years ago, the town of Kikwit hosted a workshop with stakeholders as part of the preparation of this program”, declared Clément Vangu, national coordinator of the project's coordinating unit.

Vangu praised the building made available to FSRIP for its operations by the provincial government.

The FSRIP information note in our possession states that this program is part of the World Bank's 2022 - 2026 country partnership and will run for seven years. In addition to Kwilu, the same document explains, the program will also be implemented in the following provinces: Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Lomami, Kasaï, Kaaï Central and Kasaï Oriental.

“The aim is to improve the management of forest landscapes and strengthen the livelihoods of communities in the areas selected by the project. FSRIP has five components, namely: Improved land-use planning and governance for natural resource management in target areas; Development of agroforestry value chains for sustainable landscape management and improved livelihoods; Development of a sustainable value chain for energy and efficient cooking; Improved and innovative approaches to measurement, reporting and verification as well as results-based climate financing; Project implementation, monitoring and evaluation”, elucidates the briefing note.

In his speech, environmental specialist Alex Yenge noted that PIFORES will have to achieve seven provincial land-use plans; 36 local land-use plans; 910 simple land-use plans; 910 local development committees; 120,000 hectares of agro-forestry plantations; 270,000 ha of savannahs protected; 250,000 ha of community forests; 500 farmers supported; 1,400 kilometers of service roads rehabilitated; 80 bridges built in reinforced concrete, etc.

Before officially launching the FSRIP activities, the Acting Governor welcomed the delegates who had come from different parts of the province to take part in the ceremony. The governor acknowledged that Kwilu province is also affected by climate change, with environmental degradation leading to the loss of biodiversity, late rainfall leading to a drop in agricultural production, desertification in certain areas and so on.

“We are aware of this situation, which threatens us and the lives of our populations. The fight against climate change is high on the provincial government's agenda. As such, we are working with the central government to find comprehensive and appropriate solutions. The Projet d'investissement pour la forêt et la restauration des savanes is the fruit of a partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the World Bank”, declared the governor.

He urged all stakeholders to spare no effort in supporting this project to fully achieve its objectives in Kwilu province.
Informed observers believe that if this project actually comes to fruition, it will be a great relief for Kwilu province and other targeted corners of the Republic.