The WSG charging model passes the cost to the departing passenger paid by IATA-it’s not free
Available info confirms from third parties that Wsg were/are in advanced negotiations- however the relationship of RVA management with the unions is toxic- the change of CEO may also have added to the delay
Pambu has moved to head th national bank
He was a Wsg advocate
It is unclear how he dispensed of 22m usd intended to clear the salaries backlog and other arrears
The plan was also to split the RVA, privatise security and to buy 100 smiths scanners- rather than the current brand with which the officers are familiar
This is an interesting article
Abdallah bilenge was replaced by an interim CEO William Pambu. He only lasted. 6 months before he was also removed due to serious misconduct in June 2021- clearly he was not disheartened by bilenge imprisonment- unfortunately both of fowler’s negotiating partners have felt the long hand of the law on their collar
Shungu held his first inspection visit of RVA sites in august 21 charged with a recovery plan to maximise RVA revenue in view of high debt, understaffing, and poor working conditions of agents- he appealed to their patriotism
Can RVA afford WSG boots? 20 year contract- really?
https://www.7sur7.cd/2021/08/10/rdc-alphonse-shungu-veut-digitaliser-les-services-de-la-rva-pour-lutter-contre-la-fraude
It’s strange that fowler did not mention any of this- maybe he did but no one was listening well enough- or maybe he didn’t realise any of this was happening and he is as surprised as we are that ratification is delayed past September
My take is that RVA are in a financial and organisational mess as a result of endemic huge corruption and mismanagement
In Namibia the WSG option was flouted as a negotiating tactic by the CAA to extract concessions from the incumbent police- run security
It is possible that this Wsg contract is again a strong arm negotiating tactic to clearout widespread and endemic corruption- new governance and transparency is needed- and if there is not enough change you will be replaced by foreigners such as WSG
Emphasis on good governance and transparency
One of his six priority objectives is improved security of the DRC airspace
Also the need for working together
https://www.conventiondescongolaisdeletranger.com/rva-alphonse-shungu-dg-du-changement-et-de-lespoir/
Confirms RVAs operational difficulties
The transport minister outlines the presidential strategy is to upgrade airports to icao standards and urges support for shungu
Probably positive for WSG- though they are strapped for cash and there will be opposition to Wsg from local stakeholders
https://zoom-eco.net/secteur-public/rdc-alphonse-shungu-mahungu-promet-de-tout-mettre-en-oeuvre-pour-le-redressement-de-la-rva/
The WSG contract was worked on with the previous RVA CEO abdallah bilenge who has since been imprisoned for 20yrs. It was signed off on the 15/6/21 by an acting CEO
Why did they not wait until the inauguration of Sungu on 5/7/21?
Does this explain the delay in parliamentary ratification? Presumably he is supportive if he has signed off the WSG tour
There are similarities with the Namibia scenario 2016-18.. Multiple changes of AA ceo, with accusations of corruption and subsequent sackings. Ultimately the nationalists won out with the local police retaining control of airport security.
Btw fowler was accused by the local media of offering bribes to the CEO to pay for his children’s education
I am happy to be fact checked and corrected on the above
Sungu replaced a Abdallah billenge as RVA CEO in July 21
The latter was imprisoned for 20 yrs for embezzlement of funds in Jan 21- RVA have financial difficulties hence delay in salary payments
The WSG charging model may suit them
This could be an opportunity for WSG- 300 million dollar project opportunity!
Soon the plight of air travelers, often confronted with traffic jams on Lumumba Boulevard to reach N’djili International Airport, will end. The laboratory of the company Majestic River and that of the Airways Authority (RVA) are reflecting on this in an ambitious project initiated by Jean-Claude Hoolans, managing partner of Majestic River, presented to the general manager of ka RVA, Alphonse Shungu.
H&N is the sort of person who will happily argue back and forth who is the thickest on a bulletin board of a company which has provided a more 93% destruction of our investment capital since Oct 2013 whilst the wider market has soared
In Tema, MPS asked fowler to work for free for the first few months and negotiated such a favourable contract that WSG do barely make a profit until the port expansion- much worse than nick TC negotiated- he was getting 12m usd pa
In Iran they led fowler down the garden path with the client remaining very interested and imminent exchange of contracts expected but never quite materialising
Fowler just passes the shaft to us
Fowler’s main priority is himself, his family co-workers and then other employees. Small SHs are not on the list- the placings succeed irrespective and the salaries are paid and the seasons and years roll on
He sees no need to be accurate with timescales as their is no sanction for being wrong-may as well make optimistic guesses- and the company is too small to enforce hard bargains which are well adhered to- fowler gets shafted and passes it on to us- we have to be flexible