The Mboukoumassi potash deposit project in the Republic of the Congo commenced in 2023. The construction scope includes housing construction, road development and power supply. The project aims to address the issues of accommodation, transportation and electricity access for the villagers around. It also lays a solid foundation for the owner's future potash production, drives local economic development and creates new jobs.

The project team is located in Billy Village, Pointe-Noire, Kouilou Department in the Republic of the Congo, about 50 kilometers away from downtown Pointe-Noire. The area has flat terrain that is prone to water retention, with extensive swamplands. The roads are sandy and become impassable during rainy seasons due to mud. The village's development has been hindered by its remote location in the plains and hills, with the undulating terrain and complex road network isolating it from the progress of the modern society. It is hard to imagine that the village did not have access to electricity until the completion of the 10kV power line for the project in 2024.

The 10kV power line for the potash deposit project, with a total length of about 10 kilometers and more than 200 poles, has been a testament to the project team's relentless efforts over several months. What was once a journey through the darkness, with only the vehicle's headlights cutting through the limited visibility and the landscape obscured by the faint moonlight, has now been replaced by a comforting sight: the gentle glow of lamps painting a picture of "home", bringing a sense of warmth and belonging to those returning to the camp after nightfall.

A local employee from Billy Village was thrilled to discuss the recent electrification of his village. He began with a thumbs-up and a cheerful "That's great!" Then, with animated gestures, he described the many ways that electricity has made life more convenient. He asked about the cost of installing a TV in the camp, showing his intention to work hard and save up to bring a television to his home.

What does electricity bring? Electricity provides light, powers appliances, facilitates transportation and communication, and supports social interactions and agricultural development. To improve the villagers' lives, we must start from the basics, and power infrastructure is an indispensable part of basic construction. The completion of the 10kV power line for the potash deposit project has not only addressed the electricity needs but also improved local employment, adding to the community's prosperity.

Furthermore, the Billy Village relocation project in the housing construction has been successfully concluded, with the majority of villagers now moving into resettlement houses. The transition from traditional thatched huts to modern panel houses has significantly elevated living standards. The resettlement area includes schools, marketplaces, administrative offices and health centers, meeting the villagers' basic needs for education, shopping, administration and health care. Additionally, recreational facilities like soccer and basketball courts are in place to boost the villagers' well-being and build a harmonious and vibrant village.

The construction of the 10kV power line, coupled with subsequent housing and road construction, has greatly eased employment challenges for local villagers, neighboring villages and even some jobless youth in Pointe-Noire's urban areas. Given the limited educational background, the local workforce faces the task of learning the necessary practical skills and standards in electricity, housing construction and roadwork from the ground up. The project team warmly welcomes inexperienced local laborers, imparting them with hands-on techniques and ensuring safety as a top priority. By exposing and educating these workers in a variety of specialized practices, the team arms them with the technical knowledge needed for their future professional endeavors.

"The blue electric glow traces the Tean cable for its 'heart' and channels energy to its 'lung'." As the first part of the potash deposit project to be completed, the successful operation of the 10kV power line has not only powered subsequent housing and road construction, but also laid the groundwork for a vibrant and prosperous future. With deep roots in the land, the Mboukoumassi potash deposit project in the Republic of Congo will march forward in lockstep, ceaselessly advancing sustainable development.