SPEECH BY THE HON. MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING  OF NTONDOZI RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECTS PHASE II.

VENUE:
MPHINI PRIMARY SCHOOL.

DATE:
05th JUNE, 2015.

Programme Director,

Bantfwabenkhosi,

Bobabe Tikhulu,

Regional Administrator – Hhohho Region,

Honourable Portfolio Committee Members of both Houses of Parliament,

Honourable Member of Parliament for Ntondozi Inkhundla,

UNICEF Country Representatives

Gone Rural – Bomake

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Representative,

Indvuna and Bucopho Benkhundla for Lobamba Inkhundla,

Government officials,

Mphini community,

Water and sanitation committee members,

Members of the media,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to officiate at this auspicious occasion for the official opening of yet other water supply schemes in the country that intend to benefit the community of this area.

The Ministry is greatly honoured by the presence of the community leadership  that benefitted from this project, UNICEF Country Representative, Gone Rural Bomake Representatives, Members of Portfolio Committee for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy from both Houses of Parliament, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Ntondozi Inkhundla, and senior government officials from my Ministry and other Ministries.

I am pleased to announce that in 2013, the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy handed 5 boreholes, drilled and installed  Hand Pumps benefitting 100 homesteads from Ka- Ndinda community under the same Inkhundla. These were fully funded by Gone Rural Bomake and its cooperating partners. I have been reliably informed that this is now a second phase for the Ntondozi Rural Water Supply Project completed through funding provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in collaboration with UNICEF through Gone Rural Bomake. I am also informed that the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has also pledged to donate approximately 100 Hippo Tanks to be used by this community.  My Ministry is grateful for this support and cordially welcomes the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints  who have also joined the WASH Cooperating partners who supports my Ministry in achieving the set national and international goals and objectives for the provision of potable water to rural communities.   

The drilling and construction of these projects was done by the officials under my Ministry in partenship with the Mphini community and Gone Rural Bomake.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am also reliably informed that these water supply schemes we are about to officially commission today are fed from three drilled boreholes which yields a total of 5 liters per second. Besides being safe from pollutants, this water is enough to support the needs of about 1,440 people.  The Ministry has also ensured that the water is treated before it is given to the community through sand filters which remove all impurities it might contain to ensure that the people do not drink contaminated water.

These water schemes intends to provide water supply to the schools and the community and this will go a long way in eradicating instances of water borne diseases, consequently allowing  teachers and learners sufficient time to concentrate at school thus achieving academic excellence. The project has removed the burden for walking long distances in search for water.  

I am more than humbled to announce that these water supply schemes were wholly funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through Gone Rural Bomake while UNICEF provided the pumps in collaboration with my Ministry and the Ministry of Health. As a Ministry, we are so grateful for this support.

This project is one of the great strides that the Ministry has taken to fulfill His Majesty’s Government priorities in the provision of clean water for all by 2022 as articulated in the National Development Strategy (NDS) and His Majesty’s vision of attaining First World Status. It should be noted that the country as a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (goal number 7), strives to halve the population that is without access to potable water by 2015.

According to the Ministry’s Strategic Plan (2014 – 2018); on an annual basis my Ministry through the Department of Water Affairs is to complete four (4) macro (reticulated schemes)potable water supply schemes and sixty (60) micro potable water hand pumps which are similar to the ones being opened here today. This project is an indication that my Ministry is committed to deliver on the issues as raised in the Strategy document.

My Ministry notes and appreciates the commitment displayed by the community during the construction of these projects. Now that the project has been completed, the community still has a very active role to play in ensuring that the water continues to flow to the different service points.

I urge you to continue contributing to the community fund which I have been advised currently stands at One Thousand Five Hundered Emalangeni (E1, 500). The maintenance of this fund will help you to source spares to fix minor repairs associated with the functioning of the scheme.

I also strongly urge the community to use the skills acquired through the training afforded by my Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to effectively manage these water supply and sanitation scheme.  In the event you encounter major maintenance challenges that you cannot deal with, please do not hesitate to call the Ministry for assistance.

I further implore you to cooperate with the Committee which you elected whenever your participation is required.  This will ensure that the scheme realizes its planned life span of 25 years. I am happy to highlight that the community has formed a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Committee that will manage this scheme at local level. They have also managed to achieve 98% (144 VIP Latrines) sanitation coverage with the Ministry of Health’s able assistance and good guidance.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who were part of the preparations for this successful occasion and those who participated in all the magnificent entertainment activities that we have witnessed.

With these few remarks, it is my honour and pleasure to declare the Ntondozi Water Supply and Sanitation schemes officially opened.

May God Bless You All.