Road construction work on the Ndélé – Ouadda axis has completely halted after laboratory technicians from the Ministry of Public Works officially left the site on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The road construction work on this key axe Ndélé – Ouadda is now totally paralyzed. The technicians are demanding their unpaid subsistence allowances, leading to the total paralysis of the project. Their departure has brought all activities to a complete standstill, effectively halting progress on this vital infrastructure development. The chantier, or construction site, is currently located approximately fifteen kilometers from the city of Ndélé, in the direction of the village of Boungou.
Technicians' Demands and Role
Laboratory technicians play an indispensable role in the Ndélé-Ouadda road project, as their expertise is key for analyzing soil quality, testing material resistance, and validating compaction before the final coating is applied. Without their specialized input, the integrity and durability of the road cannot be guaranteed. These state agents, who were initially based in Bangui, accepted their assignment to the remote Ndélé region on the understanding they would receive a monthly subsistence allowance. The promised allowance ranges between 150,000 and 200,000 CFA francs, intended to cover their living expenses while working away from their usual residences.
However, the technicians claim they have not received any of these allowances since the commencement of the work. This prolonged lack of payment has forced them to take drastic action. Their primary objective in striking is to obtain clear explanations regarding the unpaid allowances and to secure direct payment of their due from the Ministry of Public Works. They emphasize that their return to the site is contingent upon the resolution of these financial grievances.
Impact on Project Progress
The absence of laboratory technicians has directly stalled the physical progression of the road construction project. Their specialized work, essential for quality control and material validation, cannot be performed, preventing further advancement on the Ndélé-Ouadda axis. The lack of soil analysis and material resistance testing means that no new segments of the road can be properly prepared or laid, effectively blocking the physical progression of the chantier.
Despite this critical setback, some progress has been made regarding other outstanding payments to different personnel. The Office National du Matériel (ONM), alongside UNOPS and the World Bank, reportedly disbursed a portion of delayed salaries to other workers involved in the project. This financial intervention allowed for a partial resumption of activity on certain aspects of the construction site, such as preparatory tasks or non-specialized labor. However, the core issue of the technicians' strike continues to impede overall progress, as their specific expertise is irreplaceable for fundamental stages of road construction.
Accusations and Next Steps
Strikers have accused the director of the national laboratory of either withholding or reorienting the financial envelopes intended for their subsistence allowances. The technicians, who are demanding payment of their due, have brought the Ndélé-Ouadda road project to a complete standstill. Their absence has halted critical quality control functions, including soil analysis and material resistance testing, which are prerequisites for further construction work. The accusation suggests a potential internal misappropriation of funds designated for the project's essential personnel, directly impacting the welfare of the state agents assigned to this vital infrastructure project.
This unresolved issue prevents the resumption of laboratory services, making it impossible for the road construction to progress beyond its current stage. The technicians' strike shows the need for clear communication and direct payment mechanisms from the Ministry of Public Works to address their grievances promptly and transparently. Until their demands for explanations and direct payment are met, the Ndélé-Ouadda road project will remain paralyzed, delaying the completion of key infrastructure for the region.
