BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Even though COVID-19 stalled Eswatini’s vision to achieve first-world status by 2022, the country continues on its steady march towards first-world status, as evinced by the Prime Minister’s presentation of the country’s roadmap for 2022. Here is the Prime Minister’s speech during the presentation of the national roadmap for the year:
“It is my honour to present our roadmap for the year 2022, following a week of intense engagements and discussions that took place during the Cabinet Retreat which began on Monday, 17 January 2022, ending today.
The Retreat was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Principal Secretaries and Government officials, who made presentations and recommendations on cross-cutting issues of national interest.
Our agenda was quite robust and included topics such as the Budget, Service Delivery issues, healthcare, social support services, youth empowerment, job creation, food security, climate change, national security, the upcoming elections, Sibaya, and economic recovery, among others.
Over the week, Cabinet took stock of the challenges that confronted us as a Nation over the past year, including the
COVID-19 pandemic and social unrests, while equally paying attention to the successes that we achieved during what was undoubtedly a trying year. We agreed that most of these issues require urgent attention.
We were briefed about preparations for the upcoming national elections taking place in 2023, and are excited about
the programme of action that the Elections and Boundaries Commission is putting in place to ensure that emaSwati turn up in their numbers to the polling stations.
We anticipate the success of our Sibaya National Dialogue. Government is currently working on the logistics of the
Dialogue.
Budget Allocation
Cabinet agreed that the country’s fiscal position is still not sustainable, which calls for us as a Nation to further tighten our belts. We will, however, strive for efficiencies within our limited resources.
Whilst implementing austerity measures to control fiscal spending, we will prioritise programmes and services that
improve the lives of emaSwati and the socio-economic status of the country.
To improve service delivery, Government will consider ways in which we can improve the digitisation of Government
Services and improve e-governance, to make services easily accessible to the public.
Government will also implement strategies to ensure that there is sufficient fuel in the country as well as at the central pool. An improved fuel and fleet management system will soon be in place.
Infrastructure maintenance
We can all attest to the devastation that has been caused by the ongoing rains on the country’s roads infrastructure. This has adversely affected the socio-economic activities in the country.
We are cognizant of the fact that most of the main roads have outlived their design life, with some experiencing pavement distress while most are pothole-riddled. This year, we will pay particular attention to roads rehabilitation
Capital Projects
Several capital projects are already at the implementation stage, while others are near completion. Attention will be given to the completion of key capital projects, including the Ezulwini Water Supply, the Manzini Golf Course nterchange, the ICC FISH, LUSIP II and the Sicunusa-Nhlangano Road, which was recently commissioned, among others.
We look forward to the handover of projects such as the MR1 Manzini-Mbadlane (Lot 1&2) road that has now bee
completed.
Job Creation
Government recognises the impact of unemployment on the country’s socio-economic status. We, however, appreciate the creation of 52 789 permanent and 979 temporary jobs between 2018 and March 2022. This is however against the loss of many jobs due to COVID-19 and the social unrest that took place last year. This coming financial year, we project the creation of 9 055 new jobs from new and expanding investments.
We also anticipate the building of factory shells, which will create over 700 jobs during the construction phase and 6 270 upon completion. An example is the commissioning of the Gamula factory shell in the Lubombo Region this past week, which underscores Government’s commitment to job creation at grassroots level.
Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
The implementation of the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan will continue in earnest this year. We are
encouraged by projects such as Kellogg’s and the Lavumisa 10MW Solar Plant, among others.
Reconstruction Fund
The Reconstruction Fund launched by His Majesty King Mswati III to assist businesses that suffered loss and were
damaged during the unrest is on course. To date, 259 applications amounting to over E417 Million have been received, and 106 of those have been approved, with 73 still being processed. About 153 are yet to be reviewed and
assessed by the committee and these amount to approximately E380 Million.
Youth Empowerment
Government notes with concern the youth unemployment rate. Government’s goal is to provide support services to
young people, particularly those bearing the brunt of social ills. We urge young people to make use of the available
Government funding initiatives such as the Youth Fund, the Regional Development Fund, the Small Scale Loan
Guarantee Scheme, the Export Loan Guarantee Scheme, and the Informal Traders Revolving Fund, among others.
Social Security Services
Government is introducing a funeral cover for the elderly, logistics of which will be shared by the Deputy Prime
Minister’s Office in due course.
Health
Government notes with appreciation the strides made by our health sector in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other diseases such as TB and HIV/Aids. We are, however, concerned about the surge in malaria cases. Government is enhancing malaria prevention interventions.
Government will also implement strategies to improve procurement processes and ensure that there is sufficient supply of drugs and food in hospitals, while also strengthening security.
Education
Government is aware of the challenges faced by the education sector and is in the process of rehabilitating schools that were recently damaged.
Scholarships
Government will continue to support emaSwati students studying locally and abroad, subject to the availability of
funds.
Decentralisation of Government Services
There is general consensus about the need for decentralisation to bring services closer to the people. Recent vandalism and arson attacks on 15 Tinkhundla centres impeded efforts towards decentralisation.
Regional Development Fund
There was further agreement that the conditions of the Regional Development Fund need to be reviewed, so as to make it more accessible to emaSwati.
Rural Water and Electrification
The Kingdom of Eswatini is on track in terms of potable water and electricity coverage. Current interventions will be increasing potable water coverage from 67.4% to 78%. The electricity access rate, on the other hand, is at an impressive 82%. Current interventions are going to take us to 87%
Food Security
Food security remains a priority. Therefore, Government will continue to implement initiatives that support food production, including the construction of large and small dams, better utilisation of land and farm input subsidy, amongst others.
National Safety and Security
Government takes seriously the safety and security of the lives and livelihoods of all emaSwati.
I appeal to the Nation to remain unified in protecting our children and ensuring that their education is prioritised.
I take this opportunity to remind the Nation about the importance of adherence to the Constitution in whatever we
do.
Conclusion
As I conclude, I would like to reiterate Government’s commitment to improving the lives of emaSwati through
providing opportunities and creating an environment in which emaSwati can thrive. We are looking forward to a great year; a year in which as a Nation we will collectively work together to make Eswatini a country that we all aspire to live in.”
CLEOPAS SIPHO DLAMINI
Prime Minister of Eswatini
21 January 2022
