BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Climate change impacts have come with a huge cost for Eswatini, but some stakeholders and Government are pulling their muscles for the challenge.
In fact, countries in the SADC region have been left with an egg on the face following damages that have been left by storms and heavy rains.
Eswatini has not been spared.
The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has since revealed that over E40 million was spent in 2021 on the repairing of infrastructure that was damaged by storms.
EEC Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta disclosed this figure today during the launch of the Earth Hour 2022 held at Hilton Garden hotel.
“We appreciate the participation and efforts put by the Nation in the Earth Hour commemoration over the years. In 2021, we saved 54.MW energy, notwithstanding the pandemic that was prevailing in that season,” said the MD.
He said as a nation we need to embrace the call for research and investment in sustainable solutions so that our activities minimize pollution.
“We do this to minimize the impacts of climate change which are catastrophic when they occur,” Mkhonta said.
“Last year alone EEC spent over E40million in repairs of infrastructure due to climate-related impacts. It is therefore prudent for us to balance development needs against sustainable development to meet the SDGs no matter how small your contribution can be,” he said.
The MD explained that since December 2021, the country has experienced torrential rains and storms, which have both positive and negative impacts.
He said the rains have affected infrastructure and the nation in various ways.
In fact, the Islands and Mozambique have suffered the devastating effects of two cyclones.
“It is therefore important that everyone must consider climate change and think about resilience in design for infrastructure,” he said.
He further urged other sectors to join the call for earth hour movement, come up with measures for prevention, mitigation, and adaptation for climate change, and develop strategies and plans for disaster response, management, and emergency preparedness.
“EEC is committed to environmental protection, as we are currently adopting international best practices when implementing projects. The Earth Hour commemoration is one of the many initiatives, being implemented by the organization, to bring awareness to the effects of climate change,” he said.
Mkhonta disclosed that in 2021, EEC commissioned a 10MW solar plant at Qomintaba in Lavumisa and plan to build more solar plants to ensure the renewable energy target as a country are met.
“It is a privilege for me to announce that this year we are collaborating with different sectors in a holistic approach to promote climate change. Issues of water, energy, and the environment shall be deliberated on as we gather momentum to the Earth Hour 2022.
Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Peter Bhembe said the time to tackle climate change and act together towards strengthening the energy sector’s resilience to climate negative impacts is now.
This year’s event will take place on 26 March between 2030hrs and 2100hrs under the theme: ‘Protect Nature, Biodiversity and make an impact wherever you are’.
It is said that during this hour, the Nation is expected to switch off all non-essential lights and appliances.
Minister Bhembe said; “We all need to protect nature and together we are invincible. Cross-sector collaboration, partnerships, and true stewardship should be at the centre of shaping the national climate action agenda and urgently step up the efforts to protect nature,”
The minister stated that we are in the middle of a health crisis, climate change is happening and is threatening our very own existence.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is not an isolated event and therefore there is a need to take clear steps to immediately fix our relationship with nature,” he said.
The legislator said in the past year, Eswatini experienced unprecedented impacts of extreme storms and flooding, more pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
“These challenges are linked and so are their solutions,” he said.
