…Job-creation and economic development take the lead
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – National development, economic development, and job-creation make up the top priorities for the newly appointed (and reinstated) cabinet members.
The Ministers were sworn in yesterday at the Private and Cabinet Offices in Mbabane, where they officially took up their roles in the 12th Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Speaking to Eswatini Positive News about their top priorities shortly after being sworn-in, it became clear that economic development and job-creation were the top priorities for a number of the Minister.
Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Thambo Gina, espoused that His Ministry will continue with certain programmes and projects which were already being executed by the previous administration.
“The top priority in the Ministry of Economic Planning is, first, finishing the International Convention Centre (ICC), and finishing the Five-Star Hotel, and also prepraring ground for the National Development Strategy which must be put in place as soon as possible,” said Dr Gina.
He added that it was also pertinent to revive the master plan to fight poverty in the country by bringing billions of resources, a plan which was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Gina’s sentiments for economic development were also expressed by the returning Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg.
“There are many priorities we have to focus on, but I think big picture, if I can speak my heart – the previous cabinet came in and felt like the ship was a bit sinking, the economy was really battling, Governmenta fiscal space was in really deep trouble, so in the previous term we managaed to stabilise the ship. Where we are now, I really believe that now is time for growth,” said the Minister of Finance.
“This term is going to be a term to really be able to grow our GDP because In my opinion, growing the GDP is really what is going to take people out of poverty and take people out of unemployment,” added the Minister of Finance.
He expressed that he was hopeful that his experience from the previous term will go a long way in helping him navigate his role as the Minister of Finance. Returning MInister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Mancoba Khumalo also espoused the need to continue the job creation agenda.
“The top priority is to continue the job creation agenda, and ensure that we continue the work we started, which entails setting up factories in Tinkhundla and also encouraging investors to finish the projects that they have started,” revealed Khumalo.
He mentioned that the biggest challenge for his Ministry was improving the Ease of Doing Business in Eswatini, as well as improving the rate of job creation.
Newly appointed Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula stated that a top priority in the Ministry of Health has to do with addressing the drug shortages in the country.
“We are undergoing a lot of internal investigations, which I think will take long, hence one needs to apply himself over a longer period than expected. I’m very much aware of the expectation when it comes to that issue, but I hope the pubic will bare with us,” said Matsebula.
Matsebula added that he is yet to consult with the rest of the Ministry in order to make sure that he is fully aware of which programmes are a priority.
It is expected that the new Ministers and those who have been shuffled to new Ministries will be meeting with their colleagues to orient themselves of the country’s development strategy with regards to the programmes being carried out by the different Ministries under Government.
