BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has highlighted some of the key achievements made over the reporting period despite facing major challenges like Eloise Cyclone.
Minister of Public of Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe said the construction of the Manzini Golf Course Interchange was 99 percent physically complete and opened to traffic.
He further revealed that the ministry was able to roll out a mitigation plan to respond to emergency road failures across the country that resulted from the excessive rains and Cyclone Eloise.
“The contract for the updating of the feasibility study and detailed design of the Manzini Bypass Project has been concluded with the consultant having produced an Inception Report. The Road Sector Reform Bill is undergoing Parliament processes with both houses,” he said.
Other key achievements that Chief Ndlaluhlaza listed were the first phase of the Probase Programme of 200km which has been completed and further successfully launched the construction continuation of the Single Seal Programme on three sites.
“Notable progress on the MR 13 Nhlangano/Sicunusa road despite the unfavorable weather conditions which were excessive rains, there was a completion of Mpaka ICD and a test run of the port was conducted at the end of September 2022,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted that feasibility studies and designs, and fencing of Matsapha ICD were at 100 percent and 90 percent complete, respectively.
“Maintenance of 49 houses throughout the country in which re-roofing, aproning, ceiling fitting, plumbing, tiling and septic tank construction works were undertaken. Electrical maintenance to 22 Government houses in Manzini where replacement of electrical fittings, upgrading of distribution boards and rewiring works were undertaken,” said the Minister.
Upon mentioning that provision of architectural and quantity surveying professional services to seven homesteads at Lobamba and Mafutseni which are at 86 percent complete the Minister requested that the Committee debates it and gives the usual invaluable guidance with their budget.
“With this report Chairman, I believe the Honourable members will support the Ministry’s budget request for 2023/24 to continue providing the services required by the nation. “The request for the 2023/24 financial year stands at E2 002 195 516 of which E1 033 289 516 for recurrent expenditure including internal transfers and the remaining E968 906, for capital expenditure, of which most is for on-going projects,” he said when requesting the approval.
