LOBAMBA - Senate President Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini says Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a solution when there is lack of adequate public finance to undertake a project.
She made an example with the Big Bend-Lukhula Road, saying it was one of the successful PPP projects.
“When looking at the cash flow challenges, you somehow feel that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. It would seem there is a systemic way to kill the construction industry. It may not be intentional, but if you advertise a construction project, contractors make loans to qualify for it and after delivering they are not paid their money. On the other hand the Eswatini Revenue Services keeps knocking on their door, calling for tax,” she said.
The president said the onus is also on the legislators to amend the applicable laws. She said if this is not resolved it may cause an unrest.
Senator Isaac Magagula said he supports the policy to ensure that local participation in prioritised in the construction industry.
He said the notion that emaSwati are not competent to get big construction tenders should be clarified.
“What plans are in place to ensure that our contractors are capacitated?” he asked.
Senate President Pastor Lindiwe Dlamini.