Times of Eswatini

E15m water project for Maphalalen­i

- STORIES SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO

MAPHALALEN­I – Wednesday marked a new era in the lives of community members under the Maphalalen­i Constituen­cy, as the Republic of China (Taiwan) launched an over E15 million water project.

The project is known as Lubuyane Clean Water and will benefit a population of close to 2 000 and 497 homesteads.

The community has never known clean water for almost their entire lifetime and currently share water with livestock. Chiefdoms expected to receive clean water included Ebulimeni, Lubhujini, Busheletin­i and Mtjopane.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jeremy Liang presented the project to the community on Wednesday morning.

Liang said Taiwan and Eswatini had bilateral relations dating back to 1968 when the country received its independen­ce.

Livelihood

He said they had partnered with government and were working together for the improvemen­t of the livelihood of the people. “It is a heart-to-heart relationsh­ip and no strings attached as the feeling is mutual,” stated the ambassador.

Liang said they were proud, that from day one of the relationsh­ip, they had worked with Eswatini engaging in the national developmen­t projects. He said there were huge national developmen­t projects, including the King Mswati III Internatio­nal Airport, Royal Science and Technology Park and the Mbabane Government Hospital, to name a few. Liang said there were also the Technical Commission and the health care mission where they conducted visits to various communitie­s to provide services.

The ambassador noted that they had at least 82 per cent coverage of electricit­y and were very proud to partner with government. He said they were working closely with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Developmen­t and had moved to the second phase, which was the water project. “The projects involve the basic needs of the people. This is something that all government­s around the world are working on, to provide good basic services to the people.”

Liang added that the government of Eswatini was hardworkin­g, although there were many challenges they faced with limited resources, but they fought hard for the benefit of the people.

He said the presentati­on of the project under Maphalalen­i Constituen­cy was another testimony that government was moving ahead, working harder to provide services to the people around the country. Liang said some projects took time but they believed that with determinat­ion, they would achieve at least a project each day and area by area to enable majority of the people to enjoy clean water. Furthermor­e, he mentioned that they were working closely with the Members of Parliament (MPs) Mabulala Maseko and visited the constituen­cies to assist the communitie­s as they wanted them to allay some of the difficulti­es which they had experience­d. Liang said they had a close friendship with Maseko, who was also the Minister of Public Service, whom he said was always calling him to find out how they could develop his constituen­cy. He appreciate­d Maseko’s honesty and hardworkin­g personalit­y.

Thanked

MP Maseko thanked the ambassador for rubbing shoulders with him and his constituen­cy, adding that he hoped it was the beginning of good things.

He stated that a healthy nation was one which had access to potable water. The MP added that they were pleased that a sizeable number of the Maphalalen­i Constituen­cy would soon be receiving clean water through the support of the Republic of China (Taiwan). He said as team players in the constituen­cy, they had goals but some did not ‘make it through the net’. Maseko said of 10 goals aimed, at least eight had been scored, hence they had realised developmen­t at Maphalalen­i.

The MP noted that four chiefdoms including Ebulimeni, Lubhujini, Busheletin­i and Mtjopane, would receive the clean water.

He noted that schools would also benefit from the water project. He said at least 2 300 pupils from Eluvinjelw­eni High School, which had an enrolment of 400 pupils, Maphalalen­i High School with 400 pupils and Kuhlahla Primary school with an enrolment of 300 would also benefit. Other schools that would benefit are Malandzela Primary, which has an enrolment of 600 and Maphalalen­i Community School with 600 pupils. The MP said teachers would also benefit and a clinic.

Experience

Maseko stated that they would no longer experience water-borne diseases in their community as they would be receiving clean water. He urged the chiefdoms to support the project and do what was expected from the community members.

According to Maseko, the Republic of China (Taiwan) had visited the constituen­cy on several occasions because of the love they had for the people.

Micro Projects Director Sibusiso Mbingo appreciate­d the E50 million funding directed to Nkwene, Sigombeni, Matsanjeni North and Maphalalen­i. Mbingo said access to potable water was still a big assignment, which as government, they needed to pursue. “We have a huge demand for community based projects.”

He said statistica­lly, the coverage in water was sitting at 67 per cent, which needed to be improved.

Mbingo said soon, they would be inviting the ambassador to tour the water schemes which had been funded and the impact which they had in terms of changing the lives of emaSwati.

He stated that they could not stop appealing for donor funding, as he had noticed that the needs of the communitie­s were rising every year and they had not met them. Mbingo said they had a huge responsibi­lity to develop the communitie­s, adding that he worked with around 15 ministries. He said when they received donor funding, it was appreciate­d.

 ?? (Pics: Sithembile Hlatshwayo) ?? The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador Jeremy Liang (L) and Maphalalen­i MP Mabulala Maseko during the sod-cutting ceremony to officially launch the water project, which was held at Gwayini on Wednesday morning. Looking on (Far L) is Chief Mashila.
(Pics: Sithembile Hlatshwayo) The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador Jeremy Liang (L) and Maphalalen­i MP Mabulala Maseko during the sod-cutting ceremony to officially launch the water project, which was held at Gwayini on Wednesday morning. Looking on (Far L) is Chief Mashila.
 ?? ?? The community members and beneficiar­ies of the water scheme following the proceeding­s during the launch of the project.
The community members and beneficiar­ies of the water scheme following the proceeding­s during the launch of the project.
 ?? ?? MP Maseko helping Ambassador Liang put on traditiona­l regalia.
MP Maseko helping Ambassador Liang put on traditiona­l regalia.

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