Sanjay Mathur, the UNOPS Regional Director for Africa, has firmly rejected accusations made by Central African Republic authorities regarding road projects in the country. Mathur stated that UNOPS has completed 503 kilometers of roads, with only 40 kilometers remaining, asserting, "l’UNOPS a déjà achevé 503 kilomètres de route et il ne resterait que 40 kilomètres à réaliser." This declaration directly addresses the concerns raised by the Central African government. He added that UNOPS is actively collaborating with the ministry on a third addendum to allow for the completion of the entire 543-kilometer stretch, emphasizing, "l’organisation travaille avec le ministère sur un troisième avenant destiné à permettre l’achèvement de l’ensemble du tronçon, pour atteindre environ 543 kilomètres." Mathur confirmed that "l’UNOPS poursuit son travail en Centrafrique," indicating the organization's commitment to its ongoing operations despite the current tensions.
Dispute Over Road Projects
The dispute primarily centers on the rehabilitation project for the Ndélé-Ouadda road axis, which has become a focal point of contention between UNOPS and the Central African authorities. Central African Republic authorities have reported contractual breaches and significant delays in the execution of several works, contributing to the ongoing disagreement and raising questions about the pace and quality of infrastructure development. Among the specific concerns noted by the government are the four bridges planned along the Mbrès-Ndélé axis, which are central to the government's claims of incomplete or delayed infrastructure development. These bridges represent a critical component of the overall road network improvement.
For the Ndélé-Ouadda axis alone, significant funding had been announced, showing the international investment in these vital infrastructure upgrades. This funding totaled 30.6 million dollars from the World Bank and 5 million euros from the Agence française de développement (AFD). These substantial financial commitments highlight the scale and importance of the projects now under scrutiny, making the current disagreements particularly impactful for the country's development. The allegations from the Central African authorities detail specific instances of contractual non-compliance and prolonged delays, which they contend have hampered progress on these key projects.
UNOPS Response and Progress
In response to the government's allegations, Sanjay Mathur reiterated his organization's position, confirming that a substantial portion of the work has already been completed. He stated, "l’UNOPS a déjà achevé 503 kilomètres de route et il ne resterait que 40 kilomètres à réaliser," providing a clear status update on the road construction. He further explained that UNOPS is actively engaged with the relevant ministry to finalize a third addendum, which is essential to complete the entire planned stretch, aiming for approximately 543 kilometers. Mathur reiterated, "l’organisation travaille avec le ministère sur un troisième avenant destiné à permettre l’achèvement de l’ensemble du tronçon, pour atteindre environ 543 kilomètres," and asserted that "l’UNOPS poursuit son travail en Centrafrique." He further clarified the progress by adding that "503 kilomètres sont déjà réalisés, que 40 kilomètres restent à traiter et que l’UNOPS travaille avec le ministère sur un avenant destiné à achever le projet," providing a full overview of the current situation and future plans.
Addressing specific concerns, Mathur acknowledged that construction work on the four bridges along the Mbrès-Ndélé axis has not yet begun, stating, "les travaux de construction [des ponts] n’ont pas encore commencé." He clarified that "l’UNOPS est toujours en négociation avec les entreprises contractantes" for these particular projects. These negotiations are key, as Mathur cited "la nécessité d’obtenir certaines garanties et de finaliser les avenants avant le lancement effectif des travaux." Despite the current lack of commencement on the bridges, Mathur affirmed that "les fonds destinés aux ponts ont été décaissés et que l’organisation possède les pièces justificatives correspondantes," indicating that the financial resources are in place. He also stated that "les négociations avec le consortium doivent permettre d’obtenir les garanties nécessaires avant la finalisation des avenants et le lancement des travaux," showing the procedural steps required. Mathur firmly emphasized that "le chantier n’est pas arrêté," seeking to allay concerns about the overall project's cessation.
The Groupe de Travail de la Société Civile (GTSC), in its August 17 declaration, has also weighed in on the financial aspects of the projects. The GTSC stated that the PURIC project coordination paid UNOPS 5 million euros for contracts financed by the Agence française de développement (AFD) and 30,637,410 dollars for those funded by the World Bank. These figures align with the previously announced funding for the Ndélé-Ouadda axis, noting the significant financial flows involved in these infrastructure initiatives. Mathur also touched upon employment aspects, indicating that "les mêmes employés peuvent être repris lorsqu’un nouveau projet est disponible," suggesting continuity for local workers involved in these projects.
Sanjay Mathur affirmed that UNOPS wishes to continue its collaboration with Central African authorities, despite the current disagreements. He stated, "l’organisation souhaite continuer à travailler avec les autorités centrafricaines," signaling an intent to resolve the issues and maintain their presence in the country. He added that "l’UNOPS reste disponible pour accompagner les projets de développement en cours et participer à de nouvelles opérations lorsque le gouvernement disposera de financements supplémentaires," indicating a willingness to engage in future development efforts if conditions allow and funding is secured.
Civil Society and Government Action
The Groupe de Travail de la Société Civile (GTSC) has taken a proactive stance on the matter, requesting that the National Assembly question the government. Specifically, the GTSC seeks to interpellate the Minister of State for Equipment and Public Works to obtain detailed explanations regarding the road projects and the ongoing dispute. This move by civil society shows the public interest and demand for accountability concerning these significant infrastructure investments.
In a more direct action, the Central African government has formally asked the World Bank to discontinue funding new operations involving UNOPS within the Central African Republic. This request signifies a serious escalation of the dispute and indicates the government's dissatisfaction with UNOPS's performance on current projects. Such a move could have significant implications for future development partnerships in the country.
The GTSC has also put forth specific allegations, claiming that UNOPS has failed to honor its commitments to some companies responsible for the construction work. This assertion from the civil society group adds another layer of complexity to the dispute, suggesting that not only government expectations but also contractual obligations to local partners may have been unfulfilled. Given these concerns, the civil society group announced its intent to reserve the right to initiate legal action against UNOPS, indicating a potential for further legal challenges should the situation not be resolved to their satisfaction.
