Forty years. That is how long it took for the Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance parish to see its church consecrated. This Sunday in Mbuji-Mayi, in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi and First Lady Denise Nyakeru, this long-awaited moment finally became a reality. Father Blaise Kanda, the parish priest, himself hailed this outcome as the result of a perseverance that commands respect: forty years. That is how long it took the Notre- parish four decades of unwavering faith despite the absence to become a close-knit community united around a promise passed down through the generations.

But while the ceremony was spiritual in nature, the concerns expressed that day were very much of this world. Bishop Kasanda took advantage of the Head of State’s presence to bring to his attention the urgent needs of a region rich in resources but lacking in infrastructure. Three issues were brought to the table with a candor that the solemnity of the occasion did nothing to dampen.

The first concerns energy. The Tubi Tubidi II power plant, with a capacity of 39 megawatts, is presented as the key to lifting Mbuji-Mayi out of the chronic darkness that hinders its economic development and daily life. Without reliable electricity, no industry can operate, no investor can commit with confidence, and no household can live with dignity.

The second concerns MIBA, the Bakwanga Mining Company, a flagship diamond mining operation whose revival holds immense economic promise for the entire Kasai region. And the third concerns a local cement plant, the establishment of which would reduce dependence on imported construction materials while creating local jobs.

These three issues, along with the stalled road construction projects, will be the focus of the Conference on the Development of Greater Kasaï, scheduled to take place in Mbuji-Mayi from October 5 to 7. The region is looking forward to this event with hope at least as great as that which gave its name to this parish, which has finally been consecrated.

TheHatLady