STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER
DR B.SIBUSISO DLAMINI
AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF AN INCOME GENERATING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AT NGWENYAMENI UNDER LAMGABHI INKHUNDLA
WEDNESDAY 6 JULY 2016
Programme Director
Your Royal Highnesses
Chiefs
Honourable Ministers
Regional Administrator
Honourable Members of both Houses of Parliament
Honourable Member of Parliament for Lamgabhi Inkhundla
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join you all today and be part of this launch of an income generating and infrastructural project. There is a 34 seater bus for the Ngwenyameni Development Organization, and the Mkhohlomane dip tank, the latter project being communal in nature.
Government itself, through the Regional Development Fund (RDF), under the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, contributed E809,000 towards the procurement of the 34 seater bus.
The bus brings many benefits to the Engwenyameni community. It is an income generating project for the company called the Ngwenyameni Development Organization. This is an entity which qualifies as a “Swazi Organized Group” under the regulations of the Regional Development Fund. Furthermore, the company’s operating of the bus will provide a highly valuable service to the Engwenyameni community, and it will also facilitate trade with the rest of the country.
With over 200 homesteads in this community, and many years with barely any public transport available to the people here, the availability of the bus produces a range of beneficial options. Any member of this community, who chooses to embark on an enterprise that involves growing a crop or making a product, is now able to enjoy a service which eliminates one of the major constraints to economic growth in our rural areas – namely access to market.
The Mkhohlomane diptank was similarly funded by the RDF to an amount of E54,800, and no fewer than 60 homesteads will be beneficiaries of this facility.
Regarding the bus, I am informed that the Engwenyameni Development Organization has a membership of seven women and three men, and between them they have contributed an amount of E96,000 which has been used to construct a garage to house the bus, this being the large part of the company’s contribution to the project, it having also paid the insurance premium for the bus.
When we look at these projects we do not just see an income generating project that is a bus, and infrastructure in the form of a dip tank. We are observing income generating activities across the board. And, well-integrated, they will help each other – the bus bringing materials and equipment, and taking products to market, while the dip tank helps keep cattle healthy. The latter facility provides essential support for future commercial livestock activities. And when there are outputs to be taken to market, this provides an income for the bus.
The partnership, in which Government makes a contribution to community projects, is proving to be valuable in providing a substantial material benefit, while also creating community empowerment in participatory development and training in leadership skills.
It is clear that projects such as these are directly addressing the objectives of the RDF, at the core of which is the alleviation or even eradication of poverty in all four regions of the Kingdom of Swaziland. As Government, we are custodians of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan, and, as such, we are also responsible for coordinating programmes that stimulate and facilitate the growth of income-generating projects. That is the essence of our work through the RDF.
Government has the additional responsibility of ensuring that there is proper monitoring and auditing of RDF-funded projects. There is a reporting process under the RDF Regulations which is a monthly routine to be carried out by the beneficiaries. I believe we all want to be told of the impact of the funding. Let us see through the media what are the fruits (sometimes literally) of the efforts of the communities, and how the people have benefitted. This will, inter alia, encourage recipients of the funds to be energetic and determined in their efforts, and be an incentive to others to apply for funding under the Regulations. This will enable Government to ensure that the entire E88 million can be allocated within this year’s budget, and given to viable income-generating projects.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution made by the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, the RDF Committee, the RDF Technical Committee, and the Microprojects Programme, for ensuring that the projects being launched today have met the minimum requirements of the RDF.
I also take the opportunity to give the Engwenyameni community my best wishes for successful implementation of the projects. The RDF has, over the years, experienced some chastening lapses in the quality of implementation of projects. I ask you in the community to be determined to make your projects exemplary and to be showcase models for all to admire and emulate. Observe professional ethics throughout and be sensible with resources, ploughing back some of the income into further investment for future growth. Take pride in being a community of entrepreneurs.
His Majesty’s Government will continually to urge members of Parliament, regional administrators, regional secretaries, tinkhundla committees, local chiefs, development committees, community development officers and the Microprojects Unit, to work hard in ensuring that the RDF is utilized for what it was designed to be - a vehicle to achieve His Majesty’s Vision for 2022.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who contributed in one way or the other to making this occasion a success. My special thanks go to the groups who presented various displays in the form of entertainment.
On behalf of His Majesty’s Government I now declare the two projects – the bus for Engwenyameni Development Organization, and the Mkhohlomane diptank - officially launched.
Thank you.