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EMPLOY LOCALS FOR MPAKENI WATER PROJECT - CHIEFS

By NOKUPHILA HAJI | 2024-04-25

CHIEFS in areas impacted by the Mkhondvo/Ngwavuma water augmentation programme phase 1B have asked the contractor who will be responsible for the project to employ locals to avoid fights.

This was revealed by Prince Mlotjwa, who was representing traditional leaders in the stakeholders meeting with the Senate Finance portfolio committee yesterday.

The prince said there were eight chiefs who were impacted by the project and they had asked senators to probe government to also make sure that the funds arrive on time so that they stick to the time frame.

He highlighted their complaint about the sub-contractors that were being engaged in the previous project, revealing that their agreement was that they employ locals and also rent local machinery, only to find that the contractors have already brought their own equipment.

“This needs to be fixed so that there are no commotions in the country and find that the economy that was supposed to benefit Emaswati is now benefiting other countries. Let this not continue and government should look into it.

“We need to employ Emaswati to avoid fights like the ones which happened previously,” he said
Prince Mlotjwa, however applauded the project revealing that it does not only touch those in the Sishelweni region but many Emaswati from all over the country were benefitting from it.

He said the chiefs had given each other an insight on the project and discovered that everything was proceeding well, which was why they were giving the loan bill a go ahead.

Senator Isaac Magagula said there were commotions around Mpakeni and they should not be hidden because they would derail progress.

He said these things needed to be fixed and asked how the working relationship was with those handling the project and the ministry of labour and social security.

“We normally say community development should benefit the people from the area, even though it is not a universal law and are the shares being discussed because this was what was triggering the commotions which were in the public place,” he said.

Senator Linda Nxumalo added that employment of locals during projects was key. She said in most cases, locals were given hard tasks, while there were key jobs that help a person get transformed.

“Emaswati are educated and those who are technical expect should be near the leaders for skills transfer. This will help benefit the country. The youth should also have businesses that will benefit from the project.

Most of the equipment that will be used should be sourced locally and the dam should bring lots of money because this is a huge investment that we are doing,” she said.

Senator Lizzie Nkosi said there was a lot of money that was being borrowed and asked if the number of people who would be employed ended up being employed and for which jobs.
“We want to know whether they count a person , the hours that they work.

“Some work for a week and I would like to know where we are with the 100 000 whom we want to employ,” she said.

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