Lomami is one of the 21 new provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo created in the 2015 repartitioning. Lomami, Kasaï-Oriental, and Sankuru provinces are the result of the dismemberment of the former Kasaï-Oriental province.[2] Lomami was formed from the Kabinda district and the independently administered city of Mwene-Ditu. The town of Kabinda was elevated to capital city of the new province.
Lomami
Province du Lomami (French) | |
|---|---|
 View of the Lomami River | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 06°08′S 24°29′E / 6.133°S 24.483°E | |
| Country |  DR Congo |
| Established | 2015 |
| Named for | Lomami River |
| Capital | Kabinda |
| Largest city | Mwene Ditu |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Nathan Ilunga Numbi[1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 56,426 km2 (21,786 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 22nd |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 3,001,900 |
| • Rank | 15th |
| • Density | 53/km2 (140/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | French |
| • National | Tshiluba |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (CAT) |
| License Plate Code | CGO / 13 |
History
Formerly part of the Lualaba district in what is now Katanga (1908-1947), it became part of Kasaï-Oriental in 1965. It was created in 2015 following the split of the historical Kasaï-Oriental province, as provided for in the 2005 constitution.
Demographics
The population is estimated at 2,345,000 inhabitants, mainly located in the cities of Kabinda and Mweneditu. It consists of three major ethnic groups, the Songye, Luba, and Kanyok). There are also the Kele in Kamiji and the Kanitshin in Luilu.
Economy
The Kabinda district is primarily agro-pastoral, with some artisanal diamond mining activities in Lubao, Luputa, Kabinda, and Wikong. There is also artisanal gold mining throughout the Luilu territory. In addition to diamonds, which are extensively mined, other exploitable mineral resources exist:
- Significant deposits of carbonate rocks in Ngandajika.
- Gold deposits around Mwene-Ditu and Luputa.
- Coltan in Luilu (near Luputa).
It should be noted that the district was once a major cotton producer, but this industry no longer exists due to the lack of markets it had during the colonial era, primarily in Belgium. There is a cotton research center in N’Gandajika. N'Gandajika and Kamiji are major agricultural centers that supply the Kasaï-Oriental Province, particularly the city of Mbujimayi, which has an estimated population of over 2 million inhabitants.
The city of Mweneditu has banking services, such as those of the Congolese Bank. There is also a forest rich in wood north of Kabinda.
Transportation
Rail transport is important in Mweneditu, although it is in a very advanced state of disrepair. The district has only one airport in Kabinda, which is less significant for opening up the district and is practically unused by national standards. There are airstrips left by the Belgians in Kabinda, Gandajika, Luputa, and Muene Ditu, and a Presbyterian airstrip in Kasha (7 km from Luputa). These airstrips are in a very advanced state of degradation. There is practically no aviation service in the entire district, which must depend on the Mbujimayi airport. Ngandajika and Lubao also have airstrips used only for humanitarian purposes by NGOs. Bicycles and currently motorcycles are the main means of transport; the district remains one of the poorest in the country and will face many challenges, such as maintaining the Mbuji-Mayi road towards Mwene-Ditu, which connects the main station to the diamond town, and constructing the Mbuji-Mayi - Kabinda road or paving numerous streets.
See also
References
- ^ Mpandanjila, Junior Merveille (29 June 2022). "Lomami : le nouveau gouverneur prend officiellement ses fonctions et hérite d'une caisse à hauteur de près de 600 mille USD". Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "RDC : le Kasaï-Oriental éclate en trois nouvelles provinces". Radio Okapi (in French). 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2020.