… Ties rank with Algeria, Seychelles and Cabo Verde
… “Our efforts are being recognised”- Chief Roads Engineer
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Eswatini is taking its position in the global space.
Barely a week after it was revealed that Eswatini is the sixth most industrialised country in Africa, this publication has learnt that Eswatini road infrastructure has been ranked the seventh best in Africa.
Worth noting is that the country has maintained this position for three years since it was ranked by Statista.
Statista is a reputable German company specialising in market and consumer data. According to the company, its platform contains more than one million statistics on more than 80 000 topics from more than 22 500 sources and 170 different industries.
Eswatini ties rank with Algeria, Seychelles and Cabo Verde- gauged at four points out of seven points.
At first position is Namibia at 5.3 points, followed by Egypt at 5.1 points. At position three is Rwanda at 4.8 points followed by Morocco and Mauritius at 4.7 points.
South Africa ranked number five with 4.5 points and Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania ranked number six with 4.1 points.
Eswatini and the above-listed three countries were ranked position seven with four points.
When sought for comment, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Chief Roads Engineer, Vincent Dlamini, said they were honoured to see their efforts being recognised in the international space. He, however, highlighted that the ministry was not aware of the statistics.
“We have different programmes for tarred and gravel roads which we have been robust with in implementing. We have private contractors and inside people ensuring the roads in the country are in great shape.
“Our main aim is to patch and maintain tarred roads while we also tar gravel roads,” said Dlamini.
He went on to say the ministry was also ensuring that state of the art roads like the Manzini-Mbadlana Road were being constructed and completed.
“One project we are mainly focusing on now is the Sicunusa-Nhlangano Road which is 42 kilometres long. We are hoping to complete it soon,” he said.
He said great roads meant more convenient movements, less accidents, and increased economic activity.
“The more we build and maintain roads the more we also create employment for many emaSwati,” he said.
A group of motorists, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they saw government’s efforts in maintaining great roads in the country, stating that travelling around the country was becoming a luxury.
“There are some parts that need serious improvement but can see that increased response by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport with regards to road complaints,” they said.
