LUBOVANE – The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) and ZTCS Joint Venture have signed contracts totalling E331.3 million under the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme, MNWAP.
The agreements cover two major components of Phase 1B, the Secondary Distribution System, Lot 2 and the Infield Distribution System and On-farm Development for Maloma 1 and Maloma 2, Lot 3.
The ZTCS Joint Venture offered to execute Lot 2 for E154.8 million, outbidding five competitors.
They included Irrigation for Africa, t/a Afri Civils from Eswatini, Murray & Dickson Construction of South Africa, Stefanutti Stocks Construction Swaziland of Eswatini, Zibandlela Trading 10 of South Africa and Quench Management of South Africa.
For Lot 3, which involves the construction of the Infield Distribution System and On-farm Development for Maloma 1 and Maloma 2, ZTCS Joint Venture, a partnership between Zhengtai Group of China and Cherry Splash of Botswana, also emerged as the successful bidder.
The consortium outperformed five other competitors, including Jain-H.E. Jackson JV from India and Malawi, Inyatsi/Afri Civils Joint Venture, Stefanutti Stocks Construction Swaziland, Zibandlela Trading and Quench Management Services. Lot 3 was valued at E176.5 million.
Funding for both contracts is provided by the OPEC Fund for International Development.
The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Lubovane Dam Offices, with EWADE Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samson Sithole, signing on behalf of the organisation.
“These contracts mark a decisive step in translating the vision of MNWAP into tangible socio-economic outcomes,” said Dr Sithole.
“The Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Programme is not merely an infrastructure project. It is a transformative national initiative designed to unlock the agricultural potential of southern Eswatini, create jobs and improve livelihoods for thousands of households.
“The secondary and infield distribution systems will ensure that the water resources harnessed by the Mpakeni Dam reach every intended community and farm.
“This is where water becomes wealth, through irrigation, increased food production and the growth of both commercial and smallholder agriculture.
“The signing of these contracts moves us closer to a future where reliable water access underpins inclusive rural development and long-term national resilience.”
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EWADE CEO Dr Samson Sithole (2nd R) after signing the contract with ZTCS Joint Venture Chief Executive Officer Steven Liu, while Bongani Magagula, Director-Projects at EWADE looks on. (Courtesy pic)