Sithobela – More than 1,600 jobs are expected to be created as government begins construction of the Siphofaneni–Sithobela–Maloma–Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma–Siphambanweni (MR21) road upgrade project, a development expected to improve transport links and stimulate economic activity in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions.
The project was officially launched on Thursday by the Right Honourable Prime Minister during a ceremony at Sithobela Inkhundla, where he represented His Majesty King Mswati III and the Queen Mother.
The road works form Phase I of the Eswatini Road Infrastructure Improvement Programme (ERIIP), a 105.8-kilometre climate-resilient road corridor financed through a partnership between the Government of Eswatini and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Addressing residents and guests, the Prime Minister said the project would unlock economic opportunities for communities along the corridor while creating more than 1,600 direct employment opportunities during the construction phase.
He said the upgraded road would improve connectivity between the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions and support economic activities in the areas it serves.
The Prime Minister also called on communities and traditional leaders to ensure orderly settlement along the road corridor. He said the road reserve must remain free of encroachment, warning that no structures should be erected within the reserve to protect the infrastructure and ensure road safety.
As part of the launch, the Prime Minister travelled along sections of the route, making stops at Siphambanweni, Sigwe, Maloma and Siphofaneni, where he met residents, chiefs and other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the project.
He also announced plans for complementary developments along the corridor. In Sigwe, government is considering establishing a commercial and community hub inspired by Chief Gasa waNgwane, while Maloma has been identified for development into a fully-fledged station to support economic activity along the upgraded route.
Government also plans to construct a police post within the corridor to improve security for communities using the MR14 and MR21 roads.
Public Works and Transport Minister Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe said the project extends beyond road construction and includes a range of community facilities.
He said schools along the route would be refurbished, modern market stalls would be built and at least 200 local young people would receive vocational training, with 40 per cent of the beneficiaries expected to be young women.
Ndwandwe said government had directed that 30 per cent of the core civil works be subcontracted to indigenous Eswatini contractors. Local construction company A.G. Thomas will carry out the asphalt surfacing works, while all contracts relating to the project’s social infrastructure have been reserved for local contractors.
The launch ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament from Lubulini, Sithobela, Sigwe, Matsanjeni South and Siphofaneni tinkhundla, Cabinet ministers, representatives of the African Development Bank, regional administrators from Lubombo and Shiselweni, chiefs and council members from the 16 affected chiefdoms, senior government officials and representatives of the Stefanutti Stocks-WBHO Construction Joint Venture, A.G. Thomas and supervising consultant Cheil Engineering.
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