GOVT’S E36M RDF PROJECTS FOR SHISELWENI REGION IN JULY

NHLANGANO – The Shiselweni Region is set to be on the growth path as an investment of E36 million has been earmarked by government.

This will be through the Regional Development Fund (RDF), according to the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala. The minister launched the E36 million worth of projects on Friday, at an event held at Evelyn Baring High School. The money is from the RDF and there are 34 beneficiaries from 14 constituencies under the Shiselweni Region.

Approved

Among the projects that were approved were administration blocks, Agriculture and Consumer Science Laboratories for seven schools, three blocks of classrooms for four schools, perimeter fencing for five schools, a staffroom and a kiosk, rural electrification, a TLB for hire, five tractor businesses, two trucks, purchasing of  hardware stock and farm inputs. The projects are expected to take off at the beginning of July, according to the minister. It was said that the projects would be funded based on the proposal quotations that were delivered when applying for the money and would not be given in cash.

Sigwe will get the most funding of E4 887 837.51 for five projects, one being the purchasing of stock for a hardware worth E2 062 437.51. The remaining four will be a tractor business, each amounting to E706 350. Second to get most funding is Hosea wherein four projects worth E4 504 147 were approved, three being directed to the construction of a staffroom, completion of a Consumer Science Laboratory and construction of three classrooms at Ngozi High and Hluthi Central Primary. The other Hosea project is an income-generating project wherein Phuthanani Multipurpose Cooperative will purchase a tent, chairs and equipment to rent out.

Under Maseyisini Constituency, approved projects include the perimeter fencing of two schools, being Mahlandle Primary and Ngwane Practising while Nzongomane High will benefit with an administration block and Sibane Nkoneni Electrical Group scheme benefit rural electrification. Three schools under Shiselweni I Inkhundla, namely St Juliana, Franson Christian and Mantambe primary schools, will benefit an Agriculture laboratory, fencing, a kitchen and fencing respectively, all worth E1 619 642. 96. Shiselweni II has only one project of a TLB for hire, amounting to E1 648 500. The least benefitting constituency is Zombodze Emuva as it was awarded E911 500.62 for construction of three classrooms at Ndvungunye Primary.
It was established that each of these projects had to have a minimum of 10 members. Also, it was said that the money was not a loan but a fund and each of the beneficiaries needed to contribute in 10 per cent, which was also used in the project. Speaking during the launch of the projects, Ngcamphalala, who doubles as Sigwe Member of Parliament, advised the beneficiaries to refrain from arguments and fights for purposes of progress of the projects, in particular those of rural schemes.

Businesses

He said the property belonged to government and in the event there were fights and the businesses failed, they would take them back. The minister advised that as they started to grow their businesses, they should choose people who were approachable, to move the projects forward. He narrated his past experience wherein there was a man who was elected as a chairman of a truck project and he ended up parking the truck at his home and further had dogs which made it hard for the members to have access to it as well as the funds generated.
Ngcamphalala said those who had benefitted, in particular from Sigwe, needed to be like the Samarian woman who, after having an encounter with the Lord, told everyone: “Do not be quiet, go out there and tell people how the RDF has benefitted you so they can also apply and the country develop.”

Ngcamphalala further encouraged MPs of the constituencies that benefitted to be involved in the projects and nurse them to growth. The process of applying starts at chiefdom level to the constituency then to the region, according to the minister who encouraged emaSwati to take part in the development. It was said that the projects were also going to create job opportunities for some, from construction and employment when the projects were up and running. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Jericho High Head teacher Isaac Motsa said they appreciated the funding. He further said they appreciated their chiefdoms for supporting them and further encouraging them to apply for the funds. He assured the ministry, on behalf of the beneficiaries, that they would put in their all and further take care of the projects. Meanwhile, KuMethula Member of Parliament Derrick Masuku, when speaking on behalf of parliamentarians, appreciated the availability of the funds, which he said looked into developing the communities.

Permanent

He said they knew people who developed through the same fund and were now running established business, which created permanent jobs for others. Masuku said this was evidence that the King loved the nation by providing the nation with money to develop the people of Eswatini. He further stated that he was once in a meeting where they planned a project, it was approved but never took off. He said that was exactly what was delaying such projects. “I am requesting those in charge to ensure they deliver from their end because the community members end up asking us why the project stalled and we do not have responses,” he said. He said he knew money was not readily available but if there was money meant for the approved projects, it must be used for the relevant purpose.

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