STATEMENT BY THE RT HON. PRIME MINISTER
DR B.S.S.DLAMINI
AT THE LAUNCH OF THE MATSANJENI POTABLE WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
AT MATSANJENI INKHUNDLA
MONDAY 10 AUGUST 2015
Honourable Ministers
Chiefs
His Excellency, European Union Ambassador
Chief Executive Swaziland Water Services Corporation
Regional Administrator
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
This is a magnificent day for the people of Matsanjeni – one for joyful celebration.
Because there can be few changes to a person’s life that are more beneficial than gaining access to safe drinking water. And now, here in this community, a Project is being launched which will make available, and affordable, through either direct house connections or water kiosks, potable water to no fewer than 61,000 people. That is a figure that will echo through the surrounding valleys of Siphofaneni, Somntongo and Matsanjeni, otherwise known as SISOMA. Furthermore the number takes us to a point where more than three quarters of the people of Swaziland will then have access to potable water. Apart from the very obvious significance of what this means to so many people, in terms of day to day welfare, it takes us substantially down the road to achieving our Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving, by the end of this year, the number of our people without sustainable access to potable water and proper sanitation.
And when I say ‘potable’ I do not, of course, mean ‘portable’ as is often the source of confusion. Owing to the pronunciation complexities of the English language the two words sound almost the same. The word ‘potable’ comes from the Latin ‘potare’ which means ‘to drink.’ High school students, please note! (pause). Latin is a dead language but widely present in many European languages of today. And Italy, the home country of His Excellency the Ambassador, our distinguished visitor today, is where the Latin language all began.
His Majesty’s Government recognizes that clean drinking water is a basic human need – indeed, a human right – and has prioritized the existing zones of special need in our country, which are the rural areas. The lack of clean drinking water creates hygiene and health risks that can be life-threatening. The availability of potable water has the ability to make life safe, productive and enjoyable. Its absence is extremely uncomfortable, and presents a serious risk to socio-economic development. In this part of the country intermittent drought has already presented huge difficulties for people as well as livestock.
The launch of this Matsanjeni Water Supply Project is a moment of transformation, a thoroughly good reason for celebration and an opportunity to show appreciation.
Firstly, this is the time to express our deep gratitude to the people of the countries that make up the European Union because their unifying organization, the Union itself, is paying for this water supply project. It is a substantial project comprising reservoirs, treatment plants, pumping mains and gravity lines. It will cost 15 million Euros which is the equivalent of E205 million. And it is a grant! We do not have to pay back the cost of the Project. But it will require, and I am sure it will receive, the fullest cooperation by the community during implementation. Under no circumstances should its progress be stalled or hindered in any way by community disputes.
We also express our appreciation to the national office of the European Union, to the Ambassador and to his project staff for their immensely helpful assistance and guidance during the design and finalization of the Project.
Furthermore we are very grateful to the Swaziland Water Services Corporation for taking on the responsibility for implementation of this Project. We commend the organization for its role as an essential player in the attainment of the respective MDGs, as well as what we expect to be the part played by it in the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals with regard to drinking water and sanitation. We are proud that the Corporation has established a reputation on the African continent as a well-performing utility.
A project of this size is going to impact on the lives of all the residents of the respective communities. The Matsanjeni Health Centre will be a significant benefactor. Apart from improving efficiency in carrying out everyday care processes, immediate access to potable water can be a life-saver to those who are seriously ill.
With schools having access to safe drinking water, the youth can enjoy the exhilaration of vigorous exercise without the risk of dehydration and, ultimately, kidney disorders. And in the school environment water is like food. If, as a student, you are very much in need of quenching your thirst how can you be expected to concentrate on your chemistry formulae? Except, of course, when the formula h2o appears on the blackboard and reminds you how thirsty you are!
The Project also supplements Government’s efforts to create faster economic growth by making this environment more conducive to business growth, from the biggest foreign direct investment to the smallest micro-enterprise. For all those, safe drinking water is a must have.
The delight we experience in anticipating the completion of this three year water supply project should only be exceeded by our determination to reach the remaining 25% of our people as quickly as our financial resources permit.
The launch today is the starter’s pistol. The finishing tape -that is, completion - is 36 months away and, with the Swaziland Water Services Corporation, the European Union and the community all collaborating constructively throughout the Project, I am confident we will meet that deadline.
I give the community and all involved in this Project my very best wishes and, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I now declare the Matsanjeni SISOMA Water Supply Project officially launched.
Thank you.