BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Government of Eswatini has announced that the country now has access to clean water.
This was revealed by the acting Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza.
Mabuza said according to the Vulnerability Assessment Report of 2019, access to clean water in the rural areas was now at 69 percent, access to sanitation services was at 58 percent and 24 percent of the Eswatini households practiced hand washing.
He said food security remains a challenge with about 20 percent of the population experiencing severe acute food insecurity.
“The provision of clean water will improve the health and livelihoods of communities of Mangenge; water qualities for certain communities have been tested and deemed fit for human consumption.
“Furthermore, access to water will contribute towards poverty alleviation through the introduction of rain water harvesting technologies for backyard gardens thus improving food security in Inkhundla and other areas,” he said.
The Minister said it was very encouraging to know that the water projects they have had were pumped using clean solar energy which would make the operation of the water schemes affordable and sustainable to communities.
“The new way to go now is Solar powered pumping equipment is an environmentally friendly and sustainable system. The solar panels have a design life of up to 25 years and require minimal maintenance over this period, making it affordable to rural communities,” he said.
In addition to that, he said that his Ministry is in the process of installing solar systems for some water projects in rural areas.
This is seen as a solution to the rising energy costs which then render the water schemes unaffordable for the communities.
This project will therefore help to ease the burden of huge running costs on the beneficiary communities. This initiative is applauded and worthy to be emulated for future water supply projects.
“His Majesty’s Government has made it a priority to provide clean water and adequate sanitation for all, as stated in the National Development Strategy (NDS). The country is also keen to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 6 – access to clean water and safe sanitation by all in 2030.
“I, therefore, urge development partners and WASH partners including government departments to strengthen collaboration with my Ministry and support us in this endeavor for the country to achieve the SDGs by 2030,” he said in conclusion.
