The inhabitants of the village of Durba within the territory of Watsa (Haut-Uele) welcome the event of the Durba-Aru highway, 140 kilometers lengthy. That is the principle route of evacuation and provide of products from this village wealthy in gold.
To get to Durba, it’s a must to fly to Isiro after which proceed by filth highway on a protracted journey of kind of 340 kilometers. The Kibali firm often organizes Entebbe (Uganda)-Durba flights, however just for its brokers and guests.
In any other case, you will need to undergo Uganda and attain Aru, border publish.
“We solely do 3 to 4 hours of time”
140 km lengthy, the filth highway Durba-Aru was developed by Kibali Gold, to the nice satisfaction of the inhabitants. “Actually, it was critical to get to Aru. It took three weeks to a month, as a result of the highway was actually dangerous. However, as quickly as Kibali arrived, it solely takes 3 to 4 hours to get to Aru”, rejoices a resident.
From 30,000 folks in 2009, the inhabitants of Durba is estimated in the present day at round 400,000 inhabitants. This demographic growth is pushed by the set up of Kibali Gold, which has been working the previous SOKIMO mines since 2009.
The village of Durba is a valley within the Kibali sector, ignored by hills wealthy in gold. It is rather scorching in Durba. Lingala is the language most spoken by a predominantly Catholic inhabitants. Solely the Vodacom community is operational.
The city highway of Durba has solely 7 km of concrete highway, at all times by Kibali Gold.
Durba shouldn’t be provided with water by the Régie de distribution d’eau (REGIDESO). Alternatively, a part of the village receives electrical energy provided by Kibali, which has constructed three hydroelectric dams within the space.
Beer and international forex
A liter of gasoline is negotiated between 3000 and 3500 Congolese francs (1.5 USD). However, the Ugandan shilling is definitely accepted by native merchants.
Bralima merchandise, a brewery primarily based within the DRC, are very uncommon in the marketplace; as a result of it’s troublesome to carry them from Kisangani, due to the dangerous state of the highway. Probably the most consumed drinks come both from Uganda or from the Brasimba manufacturing unit in Beni.
