Mbabane – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on Friday, 23 January 2025, led an inspection tour of selected roads and low-level bridges damaged by persistent and heavy rains that have affected several parts of the country.
The inspection followed a directive from His Majesty King Mswati III that government move closer to communities, listen to their concerns and ensure that interventions are implemented without delay.
“Good evening, Eswatini. Today, we embarked on an inspection tour of selected roads and low level bridges following the persistent and heavy rains that have affected many parts of our country. This visit was undertaken in response to His Majesty’s directive that Government must move closer to the people, listen attentively to their concerns, and ensure that appropriate interventions are implemented without delay,” said the Prime Minister.
The tour was conducted alongside ongoing assessments by the National Disaster Management Agency, working with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Microprojects Unit and other stakeholders. The teams are assessing the extent of damage and identifying priority areas requiring urgent attention.
“Today’s exercise complements the comprehensive assessments currently being conducted by the National Disaster Management Agency, working closely with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Microprojects Unit, and other key stakeholders. Together, these teams are evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying priority areas for immediate intervention,” Dlamini said.
According to preliminary findings shared during the visit, several roads and bridges are in a severely compromised condition, disrupting access to homes, schools, health facilities and economic activities in affected areas.
“Preliminary findings reveal a sobering reality: many of our roads and bridges are in a severely compromised condition, disrupting access to homes, schools, health facilities, and economic activities. We fully acknowledge the frustration and hardship this has caused, and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to all emaSwati who have been affected,” he said.
The Prime Minister also commended communities that have come together to create temporary solutions aimed at restoring access where possible.
“We commend the resilience and unity demonstrated by communities who have come together to develop temporary solutions and contingency measures to restore access where possible. This spirit of cooperation reflects the strength of our Nation,” he said.
He said government will prioritise the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure using funds already set aside for disaster management, with further provisions to be made in the next financial year.
“His Majesty’s Government remains fully committed to addressing this challenge. Priority will be given to the urgent rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure through funds already allocated for disaster management, and provisions will be made to ensure a reasonable and sustainable budget allocation for this purpose in the forthcoming fiscal year,” Dlamini said.
He called on communities to remain united and patient as government mobilises resources and finalises a coordinated rehabilitation plan.
“We call upon our communities to remain united and patient as Government mobilises the necessary resources and finalises a coordinated rehabilitation plan. Working together, we will restore access, strengthen our infrastructure, and ensure that no community is left behind,” he said.
Discussion about this post