Kinshasa, 10 June 2010 - On June 8, DSRSG Fidèle Sarassoro inaugurated a QIPs project aimed at upgrading the local administrative office's furniture and computing material. Initiated by MONUC's Civil Affairs section and implemented by the NGO CAIDECO the project's purpose is to support the local administration to better serve the community.

With a budget of 7.425 USD the administrative office will among other things be provided with a generator, four computers and two printers as well as a copy machine. The project is not only going to facilitate administrative services for the Lemba Commune which is home to the University of Kinshasa and its 26.000 students, it will most of all benefit the commune's population of over 265.000.

The new computerization of administrative services - including the registry office, community development, economy, finance and budget - will allow the administration to follow up on official acts and initiatives and to provide services much quicker than before.

Among the guests of the event were the head of UNDP's governance unit, the provincial minister of Health, humanitarian action and social affairs, the representative of the provincial Governor, the provincial minister of Transport, the mayors of Limete, Kisengo and Ngaba Communes as well as the representative of the rector of Kinshasa University.

Asking the international community for its support, the adviser of the provincial minister of Planning officially announced the beginning of a process aimed at creating local development committees in Kinshasa.

Representing MONUC, DSRSG Sarassoro emphasized that "this project is a first step significantly improving the services provided to the population, enterprises and civil society organizations of the Commune". Discussing with the DSRSG, other mayors and provincial ministers expressed their wish to benefit from similar programs provided by MONUC or other partners.