MBABANE – During the 2023 Sibaya (People’s Parliament), the nation made a pronounced call for improved service delivery.
His Majesty King Mswati III reminded the nation of the mandate entrusted to his government by Sibaya two years prior. The head of State made these remarks while officially turning the sod to mark the commencement of the Lugaganeni-Luve Road construction, a project set to cost the government E360 million or slightly above.
Introducing the project to the residents of Ekukhanyeni and neighbouring chiefdoms, the King’s announcement that the road would be upgraded with asphalt was met with joyous ululation, prompting him to pause amid the celebrations.
His Majesty explained that this sod-turning ceremony heralded the first phase of a significant infrastructure initiative, for which Stefanutti Stocks (SS) has been awarded the construction tender.
In a gesture symbolising the start of the works, the King personally operated a technologically advanced excavator, assisted by Sive Mamba, an experienced plant operator from SS. Ingwenyama adeptly handled the computerised machinery under Mamba’s guidance, officially signalling the launch of construction.
Amid light-hearted moments, His Majesty amused attendees by recounting how Mamba expressed delight at his aptitude for operating the excavator, jokingly inviting the King to join the site team, as such skill was both rare and highly sought after in the road construction sector.
Emphasising the importance of the service delivery mandate, His Majesty also formally handed over an assortment of vehicles and equipment, including tipper trucks, four-tonne trucks, a TLB, a concrete pump truck, articulated trucks, minibuses, tractors and a bus, among others. These projects have been financed through the Regional Development Fund (RDF), administered under the auspices of the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development.
During the ceremony, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Minister for Tinkhundla, capably officiated as master of ceremonies. In total, there were 37 RDF projects commissioned by the King on this occasion.
Of these, three projects originated from the Ekukhanyeni Inkhundla, collectively valued at E3 119705.22. The overall cost of all projects stands at E55 672 772.12. His Majesty expressed his satisfaction in presenting keys to organisations established with the objective of job creation and economic contribution.
The head of State was visibly pleased to learn that one of the trucks had already been utilised in the lifting of concrete during previous construction work. The event, graced by the King, took place at Ekukhanyeni, where he launched and gave his blessing to projects exceeding E455 million in total value in a single day.
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