Mbabane: His Majesty King Mswati III has admitted that the 2022 first world status is a mere dream that will not be possible to reach.
“It is clear that we are not going to reach this target,” said the King during the official opening of the 3rd session of the 11th Parliament on Friday, February 19, 2021.
The King said since the country earmarked the year 2022 as the year to attain first world status, it is clear that it will not be possible reach this target. The king however, said he was hoping it will not take too long to get back on track and attain it.
The King said COVID-19 has set the nation back on its developmental programmes. He said the nation had we set agenda of reaching 2022 as a first world country.
He said the year 2020 presented the country with numerous challenges from early in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and adhering to the economically stifling regulations that had to be put in place.
“We are now in 2021 and there are no clear signs, as yet, that we are going to make much progress without eliminating covid-19. There are, however, positive signs that it is being brought under control.”
The King said it is not easy to even imagine which will be the rightful year to set a new target while the country is in the process of fighting this outbreak as there is no idea when it will actually end.
“Nevertheless, we have to chart a way forward. We are hopeful that this year will be one in which we can declare that this outbreak is over.”
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