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Still a need to freeze wages - PM

22/06/2012 00:00:00 Samkelo ngwenya and Lucky Tsabedze

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LOMAHASHA – Swaziland’s financial situation has improved from last year, but it is still crucial to exercise a wage freeze.

This observation was made by the Prime Minister, Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, during the SMART Partnership Regional Dialogue at the Lomahasha Inkhundla.

The PM said Swaziland’s receipts from the Southern Africa Customs Union in this year’s first quarter, E1.7 billion, were equal to what Swazi-land received for the whole of last year.

The PM warned that even if estimates were that Swaziland would this year receive E7 billion from SACU, it was still necessary to exercise caution in terms of expenditure.

"The higher level of SACU revenue for the current year has eased the severe fiscal problems to a degree, but words of caution are needed.

"Firstly the SACU revenue figure of E7 billion includes a E1 billion refund from an earlier year.

"And secondly, the balance figure of E6 billion is merely an estimate.

"We, therefore, have to be very cautious in our current level of spending and all of us must be supportive of the vital measure of maintaining the existing wages freeze," said the PM.

‘Religion hinders immunisation programmes’

LOMAHASHA – Religion has been highlighted as one of the factors that influence parents not to allow their children access to immunisation programmes.

This was submitted by Matron Khanyisile Nkhabi-ndze, who spoke yesterday at the Lubombo region SMART Partnership Dialogue at Lomahasha Inkhundla.

The Lubombo region is said to have experienced a decline in immunisation greater than the other regions in the country.

Nkhabindze, who spoke for the office of the Lubombo Ministry of Health, said they had set targets to com-bat the low rate of immunis-ation in the region.

She said the targets were to achieve improved imm-unisation coverage, provide high quality health care services and reduce the rate of deaths from curable diseases.

Target

"Our target for the infant mortality rate for the year 2015 is 23 per 1 000 live births, however, the rate at present stands at 73 per 1 000 live births," said Nkhabindze.

"Another factor is that there are challenges that we face in the region resulting in not achieving the set targets in terms of immunisation.

"These include inaccessible roads, being understaffed and the lack of transport to take the nursing staff to remote are- as.

"As it is now, we go for a whole month without trans-port to the remote areas.

"Then there are parents who refuse to take their children to health centres solely because their religion forbids it."

Comments

For the first time ngivumelana nawe Barney, but it shouldn't be civil servants who suffer the consequences of a manmade situation. For a start, you can volunteer to cut your salary by 70% (you're a millionaire remember), also cut for your cabinet by 50%, your deputy by 60% & others by 40%. Not bad, isn't it? Also cut the royal bill! Sell the jet that's always making endless trips because its fuel costs a fortune and sell all the flashy cars!! Take a leaf from the Malawian lady president and be exemplary.
Jun 22, 2012, 5:35 AM, Anthoniser (anthonym198@gmail.com)