Africa-Press – Angola. The deputies of the 3rd committee of the National Assembly were, this Tuesday, concerned about cross-border crimes occurring at the Luvo border post, municipality of Mbanza Kongo, province of Zaire.
According to deputy Maria Ângela Bragança, who was speaking to the press, at the end of a meeting between deputies of the 3rd commission on Foreign Relations, International Cooperation and Angolan Communities Abroad and members of various bodies of the Government of the Province of Zaire, smuggling of fuel, illegal immigration, tax evasion, drug and human trafficking are the most frequent crimes on the Luvo border with the DRC.
He highlighted that these and other infractions committed on the border perimeter between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have a negative impact on the country’s economy, as well as on the work activity of professionals from various bodies who work in that border area.
He mentioned that some economic infractions, particularly fuel smuggling, have their days numbered, with the entry of the law to combat the smuggling of petroleum derivatives in the coming months.
“It is very visible what is happening on the Luvo border in terms of fuel smuggling”, highlighted the deputy, having also expressed concern about the re-export of basic food products to the neighboring country, without any taxation.
Meanwhile, Maria Ângela Bragança was, on the other hand, satisfied with the customs and commercial infrastructures that are being built in the commune of Luvo, which, in her opinion, will contribute not only to the prevention of some cross-border infractions, but also in the creation of conditions that will allow the Luvo border to be enhanced, from the point of view of revenue collection for the State coffers.
“We verified that a customs control center is being built in Luvo, which, with its entry into operation, will benefit the citizens of the two neighboring countries”, he said.
Ângela Bragança assured that the deputies of the 3rd commission will advocate with the central structures of the Executive in order to solve the main problems that were found at this border post, considered one of the busiest in the country.
Sobas urged to play his true role
Regarding the alleged attribution of resident cards to illegal citizens of the DRC, by supposed sobas from the border commune of Luvo, the deputy said that the commission took good note and is going to the competent entities to deal with this matter.
“We want our traditional authorities residing here in the border area to carry out their mission with zeal and dedication, working in coordination with local administrative authorities. We know that the resident card that you issue is very important for the civil registration of any citizen”, he expressed.
He added that illegal immigrants obtain official Angolan citizenship documents on the wrong basis.
During their stay in the commune of Luvo, the deputies accompanied by the governor of Zaire, Adriano Mendes de Carvalho, visited the Migration and Foreigners Service, the Border Guard Police Station, the works of the future border market and the customs center, as well as as the detention center for illegal aliens.
The province of Zaire shares a 310-kilometer border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The border commune of Luvo is 60 kilometers north of the city of Mbanza Kongo, capital of the province of Zaire.
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