Goma, 29 March 2012 – The Indian battalion of the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Nord Kivu has constructed a market for the people of Kibingu village in the Rutshuru territory, a straight-line distance of about 100km from Goma.

With a population estimated at about 3000 inhabitants, there was an urgent need for a platform for the commercial trade of basic supplies in the village. The construction works which started last 29 October were completed in mid-March and the market was officially handed over to local administrative authorities on 23 March. The Nord Kivu brigade launched this quick-impact project following a request by these same authorities in December 2010.

The population's expectation is that this market will revive socio-economic activities in the locality. Meanwhile MONUSCO hopes this gesture will go a long way to improve relations and build trust with the local population.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO