IS THIS GOVT SERVING PEOPLE?

Sir,

Our country, Eswatini, is facing challenges on all fronts. It’s a well-known fact that a majority, if not all, of the country’s problems are caused by our ineffective government. Their failure to lead has proven to be catastrophic for our country in all areas.  There is just no political will to even lift a finger to solve our problems. Upon assuming offices, our government is obligated to fulfill the duties of these offices and meet the expectations of the people they are supposed to serve. Their stay in public office is contingent on the good service they provide to their citizens. Their fat salaries and perks that they receive should be motivating factors for them to work hard and to improve the quality of life for people. The priorities of our government are so convoluted. Government is willing to spend huge sums of money on projects which cannot revitalise our economy, but which are luxurious.

Loan

They recently acquired a lucrative loan for the construction of a new Parliament building, a project which could easily wait, considering all the problems plaguing the country. While our government is spending money on vanity projects, we are witnessing embarrassing incidents where citizens have decided to spend their own money to fix the country’s roads themselves. This is because the potholes not only damage their vehicles but also cause serious accidents.

Failure

The minister of Public Works was likely embarrassed by his ministry’s failure to fix the roads, so shockingly the police were sent to disperse residents who were fixing a road around Lomahasha. Just a few weeks ago, government took delivery of one of the two planes procured by the Royal Eswatini National Airways (RENAC). Government was unable to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio as the acquisitions won’t have an immediate effect on our economy, which is already in trouble. The South African planes at KM III International Airport are underutilised. These acquisitions are just going to cripple our economy, which is already struggling to meet the needs of ordinary citizens. Just around the corner, our education system is dysfunctional with free primary education a mess. Teachers are not employed on a permanent basis despite possessing the necessary qualifications because government claims it does not have sufficient funds.

Allowances

In addition, it has become a norm for government to treat tertiary students with contempt by paying their allowances when it is convenient for government. Just last week, the government dropped a bombshell by stating that it is planning on eliminating scholarships and children who wish to enrol in tertiary institutions will have to apply for financial aid through banks and private financial institutions. This no doubt paints a bleak future for future generations. At the other corner is our healthcare system, which is an absolute mess. There are no medicines in our country’s health facilities, such that high-ranking government officials are being referred to South African hospitals for better treatment. There has been no salary review despite the high inflation rate. Fuel prices, food, bread, electricity have all skyrocketed without any help from government to stem the tide.

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