STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER,
DR B.S.S DLAMINI
AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MANJOLO WATER SUPPLY SCHEME
AT SIKHONYANENI, DVOKODVWENI INKHUNDLA
Thursday 16th August 2012
Bantfwabenkhosi
Bobabe Tikhulu
Honourable Ministers
Members of both Houses of Parliament
His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan
Regional Administrator
Hon. Member of Parliament for Dvokodvweni Inkhundla
Indvuna Yenkhundla
Principal Secretaries
Water and Sanitation Committee members
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is always a pleasure to be part of a life-changing development such as the opening of a portable water supply and sanitation project like the one we are witnessing here today.
The provision of clean drinking water has never been a luxury but a basic necessity that has been prioritised and intensified by His Majesty’s Government across numerous communities in the Kingdom. The issue of clean water supply and water harvesting has been a recurring theme in a number of Smart Partnership dialogues over the past years.
His Majesty’s Government has taken such concerns aboard and is fully committed to ensuring that more people have access to clean water across the country. It is worth reporting that since this Administration came into office in 2008, about 70 water supply projects have been completed in all four regions of the country at a cost of E384 million. The coverage of accessibility to water stood at 54% in 2008 and is currently sitting at 64%. Projections are that by the end of the current year, 69% of Swazi communities will have access to clean drinking water.
By December 2011, a total of 566 529 people living in rural areas had access to clean water and 243 724 in urban areas were covered.
Clearly, this is a significant number of communities and people whose lives have been changed. While we may celebrate such an achievement, we cannot afford to lose sight of the goal to provide such an important facility to all our people.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to see the fruition of a project that is at the heart of the Swazi Nation and will serve a population of about 3 550 people comprising the Manjolo Community and Mampempeni Primary School.
It is also gratifying to note that the communities actively participated in all stages of this water supply project and implementation. I am aware that this scheme will serve community members from four different chiefdoms with a total distribution network of twenty four and a half kilometres. Indeed this is testimony that His Majesty’s Government is more than just keen to reach every community with basic needs such as clean water supplies.
The project may have taken a long time to complete but today we can be happy that through unity of purpose and commitment these four chiefdoms can now look back with pride to a mission accomplished and a job well done.
His Majesty’s Government has been assisted by our long time international partners and friends in bringing such a valuable facility to these communities. The Republic of China on Taiwan contributed 2 Million Emalangeni towards the completion of this project and E2.5 million has been provided by the Swaziland Government amounting to a total of 4.5 Million Emalangeni.
Your Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of China, please pass our sincere gratitude to the Government and People of your great country for the continued assistance rendered to the people of Swaziland through the years.
I am particularly humbled by your good generosity because just two weeks ago, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy received funding to strengthen the country’s initiative to trade in diamonds. This is in addition to the rural electrification and water sanitation projects our country is receiving from the Republic of China on Taiwan.
My sincere gratitude is also extended to BoBabe Tikhulu for assisting in the motivation of their respective communities to effectively participate in the project implementation. I have no doubt that this water supply scheme will be fully utilised because of the support of community leaders and the communities themselves.
May I humbly urge all the communities involved to manage this water supply in a manner befitting its importance. They should work hand in hand with the Water and Sanitation Committee in ensuring proper maintenance of this facility. Water is life.
I would also like to thank Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who contributed immensely towards the success of this project. Your dedication has not been in vain; for this is an honourable undertaking for a noble course. It supports Government’s efforts in the provision of portable water supply throughout Swazi communities.
Finally, may I commend all those who contributed towards the success of this occasion, including those who featured in the entertainment activities we have witnessed today.
It now gives me pleasure, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to declare the Manjolo Water Supply Scheme officially opened.
May God bless us all.
Thank you.