285 CASES ON ACC’S HANDS, 10 COPS TO BE ADDED - PM

 MBABANE-As per its mandate of being an entity that receives and investigates complaints of alleged or suspected corrupt practices, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has closed the year with about 285 cases on its hands.

This was revealed by the Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini when he delivered government’s end-of-year progress report at Cabinet yesterday. The PM stated that corruption is one of the major issues that were raised at Sibaya.He said the King further charged government to bring to book all the corrupt, with particular emphasis on the ‘big fish’ (bobhabuli).

The PM said corruption makes it difficult for the state to function. He said in response to the directive from The Throne and Sibaya, government did many things to support the fight against corruption, one of them being establishing the Anti-Corruption Task Team, comprising the police, the ACC and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

He shared that to further support the team, 10 police officers will be earmarked for deployment to the ACC to assist in the investigation and ultimate prosecution of the corrupt. “Government has also requested for technical assistance from the international community to strengthen investigation and prosecution capacity of the country’s anti-corruption institutions. Government remains tenacious to eliminate this scourge that is throttling the economy,” the PM said.

He highlighted that government intensified the fight against corruption with 285 cases being investigated by the ACC and several warrants of arrests issued and six arrests were made. About 37 of the corruption cases, the PM said, are being processed within the court system. In his opening remarks, the PM reiterated that during the Sibaya People’s Parliament, emaSwati voiced out their concerns and made their contributions on what the government should focus on to develop the country.

He said the King, during the opening of the 12th Parliament, commanded Parliament and the nation at large to move with accelerated speed (Nkwe) in implementing the vision for Eswatini to become a developed country. The PM said in pursuit of the King’s vision and Sibaya submissions, government has ably captured and delivered such aspirations in a policy statement and programme of action.

“It is, therefore, imperative for all emaSwati to rally behind this programme of action as it directly addresses the issues raised at Sibaya,” he said. According to the PM, while the programme of action intends to stimulate economic growth and achieve sustainable development, it also seeks to address prevalent problems namely unemployment, gender- based violence (GBV), and poverty, amongst others.

He said it is heartening to see the private sector responding positively to the call to be part of the Grand Plan efforts by making mega investments that will have a transformative impact to the economy. When outlining a summary of some of the high-level achievements of the past year, the PM relayed strategies that government has developed for all the ministries to implement the plan of action.

Under public service, the PM said government’s policy and programme of action acknowledges that to improve service delivery, an empowered and motivated public service is key and that it is paramount to invest in inculcating a culture of excellence and high-performance culture in the civil service. He said government appreciates the service of security forces and the entire public service and that a salary review exercise was commissioned for the entire public service.

“During this exercise, the contentious Phase II was thoroughly interrogated and will be addressed at the conclusion of the exercise. The salary review exercise is on course and due for completion in 2025 in line with the terms of reference,” he said. He said government recognises and is pleased with the good relations and notable improvement in the relations with Public Sector Associations (PSAs), namely the Eswatini Association of Nurses (SNAS), Eswatini National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the National Public Services and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and the Eswatini National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP).

“Good employee and employer relations in the public sector are crucial for improved service delivery hence government is committed to continuously strengthening of these relations. Recognising the importance of its employees, government awarded a once-off sweetener to civil servants,” he said. In terms of economic objectives, the PM shared that government’s policy seeks to direct investment to areas that will stimulate exponential economic growth.

“It cannot be overemphasised that the growth of the economy must outpace the growth of social ills, especially unemployment and poverty in order for the country to experience measurable development. Investment in infrastructure is key to stimulate economic growth. Government has, therefore, charged the Ministry of Finance to expedite the development of a national borrowing plan to direct resources to optimal investment,” he stated.

In terms of international relations, the PM said during the course of the year, government had fruitful engagements with several groups of the international community. Following the engagements, he said updates and government’s position on areas of development, cooperation, human rights and governance were provided.

The PM said a report on alleged human rights violations was presented during the political dialogue with embassies of countries under the European Union (EU) wherein issues of a murdered chief, State security officers and former human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko were also discussed. “Government seized available opportunities in international forums to promote the Tinkhundla system of governance. Government will continue to engage on proper understanding of our home-grown system of governance,” said the PM.

Also, he said a presentation on Tinkhundla was delivered at the Pan-African Parliament following an invitation to discuss the Eswatini system of governance. On another note, the PM expressed appreciation to the King and nation at large for all the guidance given to Cabinet in carrying out their responsibilities. He said through an extensive consultation process, government developed a programme of action and initiated its implementation. The PM said government is confident that the policy and programme of action shall yield national transformation in line with the people’s aspirations raised at Sibaya.

“The development of the Grand Plan, which is a long-term comprehensive national transformation plan, has been initiated and is due for completion in 2025. Government will not relent to implement this policy and medium term programme of action which is focused on the transformation of the national economy, achieve mindset change of the people, achieve public sector efficiency and improve service delivery across all sectors and firmly place the country on the path toward first world status,” he said.

…E1.4 BILLION LOAN FOR ICC SECURED

MBABANE-A loan amounting to about E1.4 billion which the taxpayer will have to pay has been secured for the under construction International Convention Centre (ICC).

This was revealed by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini when he presented the Government Performance Report for the period between November 2023 and September 2024 at Cabinet yesterday.

In the report, the PM said government has been able sign an amendment with Exim Bank– China supporting the construction of the ICC which is the additional loan of $83 million (about E1.4 billion) wherein there has been a change in the name of the Interest base rate from LIBOR to SOFR.

This loan, he said, has been disbursed into the project designated account. By definition, experts state that both the SOFR and LIBOR are interest rates resulting from observing transactions between financial institutions.However, in the case of the SOFR, the loans that are used to calculate the benchmark are secured by US sovereign debt, while the loans used to calculate the LIBOR have no collateral and are thus unsecured.

In addition to these, two loans have been taken through the ratification process to both Houses of Parliament and now awaiting approval. The PM shared that governments’ policy is to stimulate economic growth through investment in infrastructure and public sector development. He said government has made meaningful investments in the country’s infrastructure.

He said one of the highlights is the completion of the 43km Nhlangano-Sicunusa Road (MR13) and launched by His Majesty King Mswati III. The PM remarked that several roads were upgraded from gravel to bituminous standard as well as constructed several river crossings and low-level bridges.He said four Tinkhundla centres that needed reconstruction were completed and these are Kwaluseni, Lamgabhi, Ndzingeni and Sandleni.

“Government acknowledges the delay in completion of certain infrastructure projects and measures have been put in place rectify this,” said the PM.

 …EIGHT BILLS READY FOR PARLIAMENT CONSIDERATION

 MBABANE-About eight bills have been approved by Cabinet in the period from November 2023.

This is part of what was shared by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini when presenting the Government Performance Report yesterday. The PM said as part of the main functions of Cabinet, the eight bills were considered and are now ready for Parliamentary consideration. Also, he said several regulations and policies were approved. “Notwithstanding such progress, Government has charged Ministries to initiate a review process for all outdated pieces of legislation and regulations,” the PM said.

 SOME KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AS DETAILED BY THE PM;

*Status of Arrears

Arrears reduced from E2.8 Billion to about E700 Million. Despite the cash flow problem, the Treasury Department was able to process and clear almost 75 per cent of pending areas within the year for suppliers.

*Electronic Government Procurement System.

Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Government of Rwanda on the E-GP system implementation to handhold the Government over a period of years. The Government of Rwanda has already conducted an assessment of the system development and submitted a report and shall assist in the establishment of a dedicated project management unit (PMU) as this requires full time staff to be a success.

 *ICC and Five Star Hotel Projects

The works at the International Convention Centre has reached an overall completion rate is 84 per cent, including the interior fit out. Works at the Five Star Hotel is continued, albeit at a slower rate.

  *Payments to Suppliers by CMS

The CMS has cleared outstanding debt with suppliers which dates back to three financial years with only E13 million outstanding. The Government (Ministry of Finance) has supported the Ministry of Health through prioritising health sector requests for payments.

 *Payment of arrears by Ministry of Health

In the last 12 months the Ministry of Health had arrears amounting to E208 927 303.21 which accumulated due to various challenges, amongst others being budget constraints, Inefficient financial management, bureaucratic delays and supplier’s dependence. The Ministry has been able to settle an amount of E77 209 308.64 leaving a balance of E131 717 994.57 to date.

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