Banana Boats For Banana Port?

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday launched the construction of the country’s first deep-water port, a $1.2 billion project that has drawn criticism for being built on the edge of a protected wetlands that contains a variety of vulnerable or endangered plant and animal species. Corruption watchdog Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has accused the government of negotiating the contract without a public tender, as required by Congolese law. “This strategically important multi-million-dollar project is planned to be built on one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in DRC,” said Gabriel Bourdon-Fattal from PPLAAF. “It is inconceivable that President Tshisekedi will proceed with a project conceived in complete opacity, despite calls from civil society for a transparent process.”

Source: Ships and Ports