COUNTRY SHOULD CONSIDER REGIONAL PARLIAMENTS

Sir,

I am an international exchange programme alumnus for the Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) 2018. I was greatly inspired by the Vermont State in USA, in my two weeks stay over there. Specifically I was taken by the fact that Vermont is a small State, approximately the size of Eswatini, with a populace slightly above 600 000 and a very thriving economy. I learned that one of their secret behind their success was civic engagement.

The Sibaya is a right initiative to foster civic engagement in Eswatini. Civic engagement, servant leadership, community partnerships and social entrepreneurship are the best practices to positively impact a nation. I am content with the way the King engages his people through the Sibaya national assembly.

Submissions

I am one person, among many, who had always wanted to voice out his opinion in such gatherings but the throngs of people and time have prevented us from doing so. Then I took my pen to write down my submissions.

I would like to point out that the country should have regional Parliaments, and all the four regions Shiselweni, Lubombo, Manzini and Hhohho must have a right to choose their regional governments to reduce the strain on the central government. Shiselweni must have its own budget and a right to govern its resources, likewise the other regions should have their governments and right to choose their government and monitor their resources. For example, trading licences in Shiselweni must be paid in the region (not in Mbabane) and the money must be used to develop Shiselweni.

The regional Parliaments would report to the central government. This would foster civic engagement and increase participation in the system.

Tackling

It would increase mutual support for the central system through community partnerships, as the regional Parliaments would address issues faced by each region and liaise with each other in tackling those problems.

Regional governments elected by the people would monitor the towns/cities in those regions and help to create sustainable urban environments and industrial development.

The regional Parliaments would pass Bills and send them to the central bureau for validation. The rate of corruption can decline if the economy is monitored per region. Corruption is rife where more powers are vested on the central system. The regional Parliaments would maintain a smooth allocation of resources and even distribution of the economy.

It is an obvious fact that the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions are lagging behind in terms of development, yet these regions form the heart of the economy of this country. Shiselweni has the biggest coal mine and large forest plantations, while Lubombo boasts of the sugar industry.

Budgets

But these are the poorest regions. If these two regions were to monitor their resources, their budgets and be given subversions by the central government, which in return would monitor the implementation of the projects, the country could have an unending development and meaningful participation for all.

Lastly, the regional Parliaments would address youth issues, with elected youth in the Parliaments. Young regional parliamentarians would be mentored for positions in the national Parliament. This would ensure full representation of all types of people in the central government for the growth of the country.

Sunday Dlomo
Hlatikhulu

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