OVER 1 000 JOBS IN MPAKENI DAM CONSTRUCTION

MBABANE – The construction of Mpakeni Dam is set to provide job opportunities to over 1 000 emaSwati and numerous subcontractors.  

According to Sakhalive Joint Venture’s (JV) contact person Jonny Makhado, they estimated to hire over 1 000 emaSwati in order to improve their work skills by teading  their (Sakhalive JV) skills and technology. Sakhalive JV is a Joint Venture company established by two giant construction firms based in China that is, Yellow River Co. LTD and Sinohydro Bureau 3 Co. LTD. The two construction firms have engaged in various developmental works all over the globe in the fields of hydropower mechanical road construction and related works. The company recently won the contract for the construction of the Mpakeni Dam and Associated Works (including the construction of access roads) through a competitive bidding.

Valued

The contract is valued at about E3 billion (US$136 million) and the construction period is 51 months. The scope of the project comprises the construction of a 52 metre-high clay core rockfill embankment dam and associated works including a 15km main access road. The project will contribute to local infrastructure, socio-economic and agricultural development.
In an interview with this publication yesterday, Makhado said as a company, they were already busy with preparations to commence the project. Makhado said they had projected to start setting up the sites this month, but they might be delayed by a month. He said the reason for the delay was  that they were waiting for His Majesty King Mswati III to cut the sod for the site. He said they were advised not to start anything until the King had blessed the project by cutting the sod. Makhado said in that regard the were then busy preparing for the King to cut the sod, as such they were also preparing the road leading to the site in order for the king to be able to travel to the site seamlessly. Makhado stated that they were much concerned about making sure that the local communities benefit immensely from this project in terms of jobs and skills.

Promised

During the signing of the contract, the company promised to use Construction Industry Council (CIC) registered companies. When asked if they were still abiding by that promise, Makhado said their main concern was to give emaSwati opportunities and while doing so they would make sure they followed the laws of the country. Makhado stated that the reason the company was not giving the exact figures in terms of the people to be hired and subcontractors to be engaged was that they were still ongoing engagements with their client, which is Eswatini Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (ESWADE). In a statement published yesterday, Sakhalive JV invited local communities to participate in the construction of the dam and associated works.

Interest

The company was inviting all interest companies and individuals to submit proposals detailing their expertise in the different job opportunities to be availed. Sakhalive JV will in turn engage companies whose proposals are being considered. As one of the largest projects in the Eswatini, the project will contribute to local infrastructure and socio-economic development.
Sakhalive JV is said to be willing to work together with the local communities to improve the electro- construction capabilities of local construction companies by hiring them as subcontractors for contract-related construction infrastructure and ensuring that they will all be able to work in the future to achieve significant personal development.

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