Mbandaka, 5 March 2014 – New equipment donated by the DR Congo’s central Government to improve detention conditions at the Prison of Mbandaka, Equateur province, was handed over to the prison authorities on Tuesday 4 March 2014 in a ceremony led by the provincial minister for Justice, Human Rights and Fighting against Corruption. The delivery of the equipment package to Mbandaka was facilitated by MONUSCO’s logistical support.

The equipment package contained one 10 kva power generator, one motor pump, 6 cartons of hoes and other farming tools. MONUSCO provided air transport and other logistical support needed for the package to be safely delivered to the beneficiaries.

In a ceremony attended by representatives from the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, the provincial minister of Justice, Pascal Selenga, handed over the equipment to the director of the Mbandaka prison. The latter expressed his satisfaction, saying this donation will help solve some of the problems facing this prison. He mentioned the lack of electricity, inadequate food supplies and insufficient latrine capacity. He thanked the central Government and MONUSCO for their support which, he said, was greatly appreciated.

The provincial minister of Justice expressed his wish to see these tools be used by inmates to cultivate a prison’s field and grow food to help feed themselves and perhaps others in the community.

Jean-Tobie Okala