MANZINI – Railway safety awareness campaigns should extend beyond boardrooms to communities to help prevent accidents, protect human life and safeguard infrastructure.
This was emphasised by Ministry of Public Works and Transport Under Secretary Richard Phungwayo, who represented the ministry during a railway safety event.
Phungwayo said railway safety was important not only for preserving human life but also for protecting the economy, considering the role played by Eswatini Railways in facilitating trade.
He called for a culture in which people could identify potential hazards and take preventive measures before accidents occurred.
“The ministry would like to see these discussions getting out of the boardroom to the communities,” he said.
Phungwayo also stressed the need for Eswatini Railways to strengthen its capacity to respond to accidents when they occurred.
He further called on chiefs to assist in preventing the vandalism of railway infrastructure within their communities.
Meanwhile, Arnold Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the Manzini Regional Administration said the region was mindful of the importance of observing safety precautions, including within communities.
He said the region had a responsibility to ensure that Eswatini Railways succeeded in fulfilling its mandate.
“We wish our Eswatini Railways can grow to be like that of Taiwan,” he said.
On railway safety awareness, Eswatini Railways Safety, Health Risk and Quality (SHEQ) Manager Sicelo Mashwama said the company would continue conducting level-crossing campaigns to educate motorists and other road users about the importance of observing safety rules.
Mashwama said Eswatini Railways collaborated with various stakeholders on road safety, but there were still concerns about motorists’ behaviour at level crossings.
He revealed that out of 20 vehicles observed approaching a level crossing, only two stopped.
This, he said, highlighted the need to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage motorists to take railway safety seriously.
Eswatini Railways representative James Nkambule said the company had introduced a device that functioned as a cellphone and GPS tracker to help confirm a train’s location at any given time.
The technology is intended to improve the monitoring of trains and support railway safety efforts.
Prince Gwaju of Eswatini Railways also raised concerns about community activities that compromise railway safety.
He said some community members cut through railway fencing, allowing cattle to roam onto railway lines and potentially cause accidents.
He revealed that one person had been caught in connection with the issue.
As the call for safer railway operations continues, stakeholders emphasised that every action counts in preventing accidents, protecting infrastructure and ensuring the safe movement of trains.
