PM tours ICC&FISH, other projects
MBABANE - Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini embarked on a private tour of some projects, including the ICC, which he said they want to see complete.
The tour took place without any media presence, where he also visited the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) properties, the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel (ICC/FISH) and the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) on Monday.
Dlamini went on the tour the same day when the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s annual performance report was debated in Parliament, where members of the committee told the Minister, Dr Tambo Gina, that they were tired of approving the ICC budget.
Swallowed
The MPs said billions of Emalangeni had been swallowed by the project, while no one had ever been held accountable for the corruption that was taking place. In a statement issued on the PM’s Facebook page, he said emaSwati would agree that the construction of the (ICC/FISH), had taken much more time and resources than it should have.
Dlamini assured the nation that they would ensure that this project was finally completed for the country to start benefitting from this huge investment.
He began his tour at the PSPF’s Ingcamu Building in Mbabane, where he met the PSPF executive and Board of trustees.
Dlamini was briefed about the fund’s E15 billion investments and proceeded to tour the new PSPF apartments in Mbabane, which are near completion.
He also toured the former Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (ESASCCO) Building, which has been a sorry sight for about 22 years, and which the PSPF has invested about E450 million into re-modelling.
“The building is currently being converted into a premium office building complex. I congratulated PSPF for the work they are doing and challenged the executive and Board of Trustees to ensure that it remains the premier organisation that it is. I further encouraged the institution to invest more in the country, applauding them for having at least 45 per cent local investments,” Dlamini said.
In the same vein, the PM said they were proud of PSPF for taking over the ESASCCO building and working towards its completion. He stated that upon completion, it would be an iconic building in the capital city.
He further invited the institution to be part of the Investment Indaba that was being spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, where businesses that would invest over E1 billion in new and innovative initiatives were being targeted. He then visited the ICC/FISH, where he was led on a comprehensive tour of the building and briefed on the progress made to date.
“From ICC/FISH, I proceeded to the RSTP Phocweni and Nokwane sites, where I toured the National Data Centre, Advanced School of IT, the National Contact Centre, the Biotechnology Park, the recently established Commercial Court, and the Special Economic Zone site,” he said.
Dlamini challenged RSTP management to work hard to ensure that the project became self-sustainable by investing in automation systems and looking for other means of financing the project, including through partnerships.
Support
He further expressed government’s support for the institution, recognising that it was key in attracting and retaining investors. “I was personally impressed with all the projects I visited. They are strategic for the country and are all part of His Majesty King Mswati III’s grand vision. Government will endeavour to make sure they are supported by all means until completion.
“Top on the list is the ICC and the operationalisation of the RSTP,” he stated.
When seeking comments on why the media was not invited during the tour of the projects, Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, said the PM requested to answer all questions during the Editors Forum meeting to be held tomorrow.