KINSHASA | Office des Routes | Hotel | 32 fl | Under Construction

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Pius

Shoprite abandoned its inititial project and signed, instead, with Cité du fleuve developers to build a commercial centre on the main island.

Thats's a smart move.

[Pius]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

Thats's a smart move.

The move is not bad but, in my opinion, it would have been even smarter if they had kept the initial project too because LCDF and downtown Kinshasa are two different cachment areas with two different types of customers. LCDF will be an upmarket shopping zone while downtown is more diversified. Why not profit from both markets?

[Pius]

April 2011 Update

This project has been on hold for the last year or so, but judging by the recent erection of a crane at the site, work may be resuming soon.

[screenshotartist]

Pius,

Once again, Many thanks and appreciations for providing visual proof.


I hope you keep up the great work and effort

[Anzadi]

Thanks Pius for your pics. But I think the government should do something in order to have Rakeen do their job. If they don't have money, the project can be given to others. Unfinished buildings really spoil the beauty of the city!

[Pius]

Originally Posted by Anzadi

Thanks Pius for your pics. But I think the government should do something in order to have Rakeen do their job. If they don't have money, the project can be given to others. Unfinished buildings really spoil the beauty of the city!

It will be difficult for the Congolese government to do anything about Rakeen’s delays. According to Congolese property law, Rakeen has a total of seven years to develop the acquired construction plot, let alone the different derogations that can be granted.
Rakeen will eventually complete its projects in the DRC. However, these delays are a big disappointment for the Congolese people because it was hoped that the new infrastructure will help the DRC host the 13th Francophonie summit in 2012 under good conditions.

[BUTEMBO21]

Super Pius like Always. Thank you so much for the brave updates and your precious time.

[BUTEMBO21]

Any Idea about the housing at Pepinieres de Bandalungwa?

[Epaphras]

There is urgent need to modernize this whole area. I do not condonne the current Mzee LDK's mausolee location, though I like his statue. I think they should move the mausolee to some other place and modernize the old Palais de la Nation, restore Leopold II statue probably next to LDK's and build a new twin Lumumba-Kasavubu's monument around this historical palais de la nation.This could be an important touristic attraction site.

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Epaphras

There is urgent need to modernize this whole area. I do not condonne the current Mzee LDK's mausolee location, though I like his statue. I think they should move the mausolee to some other place and modernize the old Palais de la Nation, restore Leopold II statue probably next to LDK's and build a new twin Lumumba-Kasavubu's monument around this historical palais de la nation.This could be an important touristic attraction site.

Restore who? Leopold II? and next to LDK's? thats even worst.

That thing belonges in the Museum. There should be a Meseum exclussively for Colonial Congo. Thats where all that Belgian things must belong if not reduced to powder. In facts that Open Air Museum is a fantastic idea.

Lumumba already has his Monument at the Tour de Limete. Kasavubu already has his own in his Kasavubu Commune.

LDK is at a good location. i don't see anything wrong with the location.

[Epaphras]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

Restore who? Leopold II? and next to LDK's? thats even worst.

That thing belonges in the Museum. There should be a Meseum exclussively for Colonial Congo. Thats where all that Belgian things must belong if not reduced to powder. In facts that Open Air Museum is a fantastic idea.

Lumumba already has his Monument at the Tour de Limete. Kasavubu already has his own in his Kasavubu Commune.

LDK is at a good location. i don't see anything wrong with the location.

How will you then attract local and especially foreign tourists? By sending them to a museum? Italy, Rome in particular, Athens, London, Buccarest, Moscowre and other european well known big cities are living museums themselves though they have museums. You find statues almost at every corner of streets. That is why crowds of tourists abound in their streets to visit them. Coongolese need to transcend the bitterness of his past history if they are to emancipate themselves and modernize their country. Tossing colonila monuments in junkyards or museums is a bridge to nowhere! I am not against LDK's statue but I think his mausoleum location should not be there in front of a too historical and iconic building such as the country parliament. My fear is that if JoKa is no longer president (maybe at the end of his second term) his enemies may not hesitate to desacrate the beautiful mausoleum. From my perspective, for the sake of his father's and ou president's memory and respect, the mausoleum should be moved to some place a bit hidden. In my view, it is too exposed.

[MBA-Congo]

Maybe we should just move the whole capital and place the Mzee LDK's mausolee location there. Kinshasa can stay with the old relics of Leopold and the name can be recalled Leopoldville. Why not have the belgiums also build a huge statue of Kimbangu right in the heart of Brussels.

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Epaphras

How will you then attract local and especially foreign tourists? By sending them to a museum?

Why not send them to museums? why do we always have to think of foreign Tourists first?

What we need to do is to build our own nation, preserve our history first, foreigners can come see what we have for who we are.

Italy, Rome in particular, Athens, London, Buccarest, Moscow and other european well known big cities are living museums themselves though they have museums. You find statues almost at every corner of streets. That is why crowds of tourists abound in their streets to visit them.

Italy has Italy = Rome. It has it modern Italian and ancient Rome statues and moments. They show their Italianness or who they are.

Athens displays Greek history , Great Greek Statues , architect etc... It show their Greekness , their culture or who they are.

Moscow displays Russian's great History, their unique architectures, Statues of their great leaders etc...

Same for London, Paris, Buccarest , Sofia etc...

Can you show me Hitler statues in Moscow ? In Paris? Brussels? in Balkans? In Poland?


These Euro capitals are museums themselves indeed, but they were built by those people , not occupiers.


So, yes. The Open Museum about Colonial Congo is the good idea.


Congo needs to display what it has built. when you land in Kin, don't think your in Brussels, but in Congo.

Coongolese need to transcend the bitterness of his past history if they are to emancipate themselves and modernize their country. Tossing colonila monuments in junkyards or museums is a bridge to nowhere!

We speak Belgian language., We wear their dress code. We have their architecture. We have their religion. Their Education System. We even have their names.

What about whats ours?

I am not against LDK's statue but I think his mausoleum location should not be there in front of a too historical and iconic building such as the country parliament.

I agree there. Location can be changed. Build it next to a Parliament that was built in Independent Congo.

My fear is that if JoKa is no longer president (maybe at the end of his second term) his enemies may not hesitate to desacrate the beautiful mausoleum. From my perspective, for the sake of his father's and ou president's memory and respect, the mausoleum should be moved to some place a bit hidden. In my view, it is too exposed.

That is my fear as well. I know Congolese don't know how to preserve or maintain anything.

However: Building an imposing gigantic museum with a stunning Architecture that itself will be an Iconic building or Land mark in the city. Thats what i would prefer .

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Epaphras

How will you then attract local and especially foreign tourists? By sending them to a museum? Italy, Rome in particular, Athens, London, Buccarest, Moscowre and other european well known big cities are living museums themselves though they have museums. You find statues almost at every corner of streets. That is why crowds of tourists abound in their streets to visit them. Coongolese need to transcend the bitterness of his past history if they are to emancipate themselves and modernize their country. Tossing colonila monuments in junkyards or museums is a bridge to nowhere! I am not against LDK's statue but I think his mausoleum location should not be there in front of a too historical and iconic building such as the country parliament. My fear is that if JoKa is no longer president (maybe at the end of his second term) his enemies may not hesitate to desacrate the beautiful mausoleum. From my perspective, for the sake of his father's and ou president's memory and respect, the mausoleum should be moved to some place a bit hidden. In my view, it is too exposed.

Why Especially Foreigners? Did you know that Locals are the drivers of Tourism and not foreigners?

So, why do we have to built our country to satify foreigners, instead of serving our nation?


Since you said those Euro Capitals are Museums ( which is true), we need to built our Capital as a Museum of Congolese History and Heritage.

[jnyerere89]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

Congo Office Des Routes / Facilities

Five star hotel with seven floors
Fifty four rooms per floor
Three hundred seventy two rooms and deluxe suites
Two restaurants
One swimming pool
One bar
One conference hall
One spa
One fitness centre
Medical Center
Two glass lifts
Very nice landscape


Congo Office Des Routes / Floor Plan

http://rakeen.com/en/our-projects/in...loor-Plan.aspx

This is beautiful. I would like to see some work done to Lubumbashi. I think it is an important city that deserves extensive beautification.

[jjmutax]

It is sad to say but these project is dead, and maybe the gare central as well. People who started paying in advance are asking for the money back because they lost confidence. Rakeen is not receiving anymore funds.

[Epaphras]

Originally Posted by jjmutax

It is sad to say but these project is dead, and maybe the gare central as well. People who started paying in advance are asking for the money back because they lost confidence. Rakeen is not receiving anymore funds.

How can it be? We were recently informed that the company has received 250 M from a Swiss bank.....? How things are changing so quickly? Who then to believe?
Could anyone eleborate on this? It's frightening!

[Epaphras]

Originally Posted by jjmutax

It is sad to say but these project is dead, and maybe the gare central as well. People who started paying in advance are asking for the money back because they lost confidence. Rakeen is not receiving anymore funds.

What do you make of the following info from l'ecclesiast concerning Rakeen 2 projects gare centrale and office des routes?:

Il y a une semaine je regardais l'emission SAGA AFRICA de Frank Akil sur la tele 50.Cette emission se passait sur les 2 sites de Rakeen(gare centrale et office des routes).Sur le site de la gare centrale un ingenieur a declare que la 1ere phase,la partie commerciale sera finie au mois de decembre 2011 ou debut 2012,la2nde qui constitue les deux tours jumelles,la fin des travaux est prevue pour 2013.Quand au site de l'office des routes les travaux consistent dans un premier temps a la construction de la salle de conference en prevision du sommet de la francophonie.

[Pius]

Originally Posted by jjmutax

It is sad to say but these project is dead, and maybe the gare central as well. People who started paying in advance are asking for the money back because they lost confidence. Rakeen is not receiving anymore funds.

Is this information official ? Has Rakeen really announced that it has discontinued its projects in the DRC or is it just rumours? The fact that some disgruntled customers are claiming their money back does not necessarily mean that the project is dead.
Should it be the case, I would be amazed since Rakeen was recently granted a loan from a Swiss bank on the strength of its projects in the DRC, as the following article confirms:

$250 million Medium-Term Loan to Rakeen Real Estate

CFH Group, in its capacity as financial advisors to Rakeen Real Estate in Ras Al Khaimah UAE, has announced the successful completion in arranging a medium-term loan syndication amounting $250 million to Rakeen. Credit Suisse bank acted in the capacity of a lead manager along with other participating local and international banks.
Mr. John Bernson, the Executive Manager of Rakeen, commented on the market's confidence and the soundness in the credit standing of the UAE government in general and Ras El Khaimah in particular. Mr. Bernson stressed on the promising future for Rakeen's investments and development projects in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
Mr. Fawzi E. Farah, the CEO of CFH Group, commented on the role of CFH in providing financial advisory services to include mergers and acquisitions, arranging debt-financing services, raising capital and refinancing/restructuring of long-term loans. Also, Mr. Farah believes that "as global financial crises recede, we see a noticeable improvement in the liquidity among the banks operating in the region. This in my opinion should provide ample opportunities for institutions seeking fresh financing and/or opportunities to restructure existing debt.

-Ends-
© Press Release 2011

[Mulopwe]

Originally Posted by Pius

Is this information official ? Has Rakeen really announced that it has discontinued his projects in the DRC or is it just rumours? The fact that some disgruntled customers are claiming their money back does not necessarily mean that the project is dead.
Should it be the case, I would be amazed since Rakeen was recently granted a loan from a Swiss bank on the strength of its projects in the DRC, as the following article confirms:

This is more likely not true simply because Rakeem have already invested big chunk in both projects.

Seems that some customers are maybe dissatisfy with slow progress but Rakeem will eventually finish project.

Mulopwe