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By Thokozani Mazibuko
The Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini concluded a Cabinet Retreat at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini, emphasizing the necessity of aligning the national budget with the newly established Programme of Action (PoA).
This PoA, inspired by feedback from the recent Sibaya national dialogue, is critical to realizing His Majesty’s vision of transforming Eswatini into a developed nation.
In his remarks, Dlamini highlighted the urgency of integrating the PoA with the national budget, showing that the PoA embodies not only the Sibaya mandate but also the National Development Plan.
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“It is imperative that our national budget reflects the priorities outlined in the PoA to set Eswatini on a path towards sustainable development,” he stated.
lamini pointed out that the PoA has a dynamic framework that requires ongoing engagement and collaboration among government officials, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. Future workshops are planned to ensure all parties are aligned with the goals of the PoA.
A special session of Cabinet Ministers is set to facilitate detailed discussions aimed at prioritizing the budgetary allocations necessary for effective PoA implementation.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of local responsiveness in the strategic planning of Eswatini’s development.
He noted that the previous focus on external mandates often overlooked the specific needs of local circumstances. “We have been driven too much by external forces even if contrary to the local situation. This must change,” Dlamini declared.
One of the key decisions made during the retreat was to pivot Eswatini towards a Green Economy a commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
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The Prime Minister asserted that achieving the desired impact from the PoA would necessitate a decentralization of budgetary powers from central agencies to individual ministries.
This move is intended to empower Principal Secretaries to better manage their resources and fulfill their mandates effectively.
“In pursuing a unified approach focused on realizing impact, we are taking essential steps to ensure that our strategies are not just theoretical but actionable and impactful,” Dlamini concluded.
