By The following is an interview conducted with the Congolese Communist Party (PCCO) on their Kisangani palm oil co-op project. You can find out more and support this project by donating at the following link: https://givebutter.com/kisangani
What are the economic challenges facing the populations of Kisangani and the Tshopo region?
Comrade Deo: The city of Kisangani is a landlocked city. There are several palm oil plantations. We want to acquire the means to transform this fruit into value-added products, because when we have to import the same products, they are extremely expensive. Companies in the region will benefit because it is a raw material for many other products as well. This will help move the economy up the ladder and create value-added products.
Comrade Justin: Kisangani is a city far from the Congolese border. Because of this, it makes it difficult to participate in economic trade with other countries. Basoko, Lubuntu, Sangi, Mundu, and Opala are other territories that are not connected to roads or other means of transportation in the regional economy. The population of Kisangani is essentially cut off from the outside world. There are not enough jobs to support the population, and the majority of residents live in poverty.
What is the PCCO’s vision for the region’s development?
Justin: Patrice Lumumba’s political life began in Kisangani. Our vision for development is first and foremost to ensure food sovereignty. There is also the preparation of other projects such as bread preparation, ensuring food security, and agro-pastoral-industrial development (concessions for planting corn, rice, tomatoes, and cocoa). We also want to develop the fish farming sector. There are 15 km of navigable rivers between Yanonge and Isangi (on the river) which are almost not exploited in an organized, industrial manner. There is artisanal fishing but not industrial fishing.We also want to develop the fishing sector between Kinshasa and Kisangani. We need to have qualified people to lead and manage this project.
Deo: We first want to complete this first project, which will give the population confidence to undertake other projects. Many plantations are not used and cannot be exploited. We want to increase the arable land that is used in the region.
In a more globally competitive economy, where do you see the Congo and the Tshopo region?
Deo: Competitiveness is about the capitalist system. We shouldn’t rely on competitiveness. There’s also fair competition. We need more socialism; we’re not going to govern in a capitalist way that will lead to more exploitation. This city doesn’t need that. We need to talk about development.
What skills will this refinery require and how will the local workforce be organized and trained to ensure its operation?
Deo: The companies we hire to install the plant will also be responsible for training the staff. They have a representation in Kinshasa, which will make it easy to maintain contact with Kisangani. PCCO executives will be the primary workforce in this project, so it will be open to the general population.
What is the cultural and economic importance of palm oil in the region?
Deo: It is consumed throughout Congo. It is the oil that is primarily used by the Congolese. It is also used in several other products such as soap. A city located in the equatorial forest, the PCCO alone cannot develop the life of Kisangani, but if we do it in multiple ways, it can. If the PCCO succeeds with this project, it will be an example for the future.
Why a palm oil refinery and not another project?
Deo: This will have an impact on the party’s self-financing, which will lead to other projects. It will be a way to generate capital for other projects.
How will women be involved in the project?
Deo: Women will be at the forefront because a business cannot function without women. Women will have parity in this project in all areas. The PCCO has 50% female staff in all areas.
Can you provide a historical context explaining the region’s underdevelopment and its inability to meet the needs of its population? How was life underdeveloped by war?
Justin: Laurent Kabila’s war caused investment flight. A textile company operating in Kisangani, Libra, a mattress company. The loss of 3,000 jobs. A vegetable oil company. Until this day, it wasn’t being rebuilt. Brasimba has now left for Goma. Clothing is on top of that. Everything that comes ruins life, life is being plundered. The majority of pharmacies are run by Indians and Pakistanis. We had the airline that works here but no longer operates. International NGOs haven’t responded. There’s a lack of schools and hospitals. The conditions are miserable.
