By Khulile Thwala
Draught-prone Lubombo is set to benefit from financial and technical support from the Republic of China on Taiwan in the local water sector to the tune of E49.6 million.
The first trench of the money will come as part of a five-month project worth E4.26 million. The project is meant to serve two chiefdoms in the Lubombo Region, namely; Maphungwane and Lukhetseni. The first phase of the project includes the excavation and laying of a 10km pipeline.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku, the Eswatini Government is committed to the effective and timely delivery of the government programme of action which is geared towards improving the lives of emaSwati.
The project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) and Micro Projects. The ministry is going to ensure adherence to the construction standards and effective community participation, while Micro
Projects and EWSC will facilitate the implementation and construction process.
The water scheme will benefit a total of about 450 homesteads, which is about 2 700 people at yard connections under the Matsanjeni North Inkhundla. The project will benefit the communities of Mavalela, Nhlengesheni, Sibovini and Magwanyana.
The project has been supported by the contribution of E300 per homestead. This will ensure good collaboration between the funders and the beneficiaries. The two aforementioned beneficiary chiefdoms have contributed a total of E135 000 towards the project costs. Worth noting is that completion of this project will result in potable water provision at each constituent’s yard and community members will be expected to pay water bills as they will be metered.
