BY SETHABILE MYENI
MBABANE – Eswatini government, through the Microprojects, has committed over E39 million in the construction of dip tanks, veterinary offices and fencing.
According to a report released by the Ministry if Economic Planning and Development, 14 projects have been implemented and would cost taxpayers a total sum of E39 424 897. In fact these projects seek to benefit 26 919 people and are currently ongoing.
They are handled by Microprojects Programme Coordinating Unit (MPCU).
The 2023 report states that 50 percent of the projects are located in the Hhohho region, 22 percent in the Manzini region, 21 percent in the Shiselweni region and seven percent in the Lubombo region.
It is reflected in the report an amount of E6 088 851.02 has so far been spent in the 14 project. 12 are dip tanks while the other includes a veterinary office and staff house and a perimeter fence. About 23 071 people will benefit from the latter.
The report further states that government has spent an amount of E 3 978 634.46 in the construction of the dip tanks. In fact, seven of these are located in the Manzini region, three in the Shiselweni region. It is stated that government spent E372 000 on each of the three from Shiselweni.
Two dip tank have been constructed in the Hhohho region.
For vet development and support, the report reflect that a sum of E2 110 216.56 was spent in the construction of the Malandzela veterinary office and the completion of the staff office.
Here, about 10 000 people would benefit at Maphalaleni Constituency under the Hhohho region, and it is said be the most costly project out of the ongoing projects.
A report from the previous year stated that government had successfully completed 17 projects through MPCU.
“Seventeen (17) projects were implemented in this period of these three (3) are complete and these comprise of fence installation in 2 grazing schemes and construction of 1 dip tank. Livestock management will improve thus improving productivity of stock,” reads the report.
