WWF, ISCO (partner of the National Park of Salonga) and the governor of the province of Tshuapa met several times in June 2018, to prepare the rehabilitation of the road between Monkoto and Boende. Participants discussed the results of a technical study on the condition and needs for rehabilitation of the road, including engineering structures of this road delivered by ISCO and the Tshuapa Road Board in April 2018.

Formerly a major axis of the province, the 236 km road linking Boende, the provincial capital, to Monkoto, seat of the National Park administration and administrative center of the district, is nowadays mostly a small trail. For most parts it is only passable by motorcycle, leading through areas with dense vegetation like bamboo, crossing rivers via dangerous, weak bridges or by small pirogues used as ferries. Nonetheless it remains an important axis of exchange, with in important role for the envisaged agricultural development and other local products.

Road rehabilitation works, estimated at approximately $ 1 million, should be undertaken by the Tshuapa Road Board and workers contracted by ISCO to carry out a first portion with funding from the European Union, while another part of the budget remains to be mobilized. (state of a bridge and road on the Boende-Monkoto axis © ISCO)