BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – Prime Minister Sipho Cleopas Dlamini took some time today to visit some of the rural electrification projects by the World Bank in the country.
The PM visited beneficiaries of the Network Reinforcement and Access Project (NRAP), at Magelegele in the Shiselweni region. In his tour, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, and Acting Minister for Natural Resources Jabulani Mabuza. The Prime Minister also commended water projects he toured under Lavumisa and electrification projects Nhlangano.
Speaking during the tour, the Prime Minister noted that the work funded by loans from the World Bank are all about uplifting the underserved. In the country.
E37.5 Million has been invested by the Eswatini Government in these projects, and the World bank has supported the projects with about E850 million. The project involves the construction of two substations, as well as over 80KM of electricity line installation.
Speaking during the tour, the Prime Minister urged Emaswati to protect the projects, as there are always elements of sabotage involved when such projects are being undertaken. He mentioned that the essence of the water supply and sanitation project is to increase access to potable water supplies and sanitation in the Shiselweni region.
“These projects directly benefit the Nation. I spoke to one of the beneficiaries of the Ready Boards project, who explained how helpful the rural electrification project has changed her life and that of her family. Many households are yet to benefit from this project,” said the Prime Minister.
“The water project is another big project where water is being purified and distributed from Nhlangano down to Lavumisa benefitting many emaSwati along the way. We also met a Water Committee that represents four chiefdoms, demonstrating how impactful the project is,” commented the Prime Minister.
“We also witnessed how water is being tested to ensure that the water is suitable for public consumption. There will always be people who are not happy when they see development. I therefore urge the Nation to fiercely guard these projects,” urged the Prime Minister.
“I would like to thank the World Bank for the very impactful contribution that they have made. These projects have really made an impact in the lives of people,” added the Prime Minister.
Supporting the Prime Minister’s remarks was World Bank Resident Coordinator, Marie Francoise Marie – Nelly, who commended the Government for cooperating seamlessly with the World Bank in terms of funding the projects.
