PM assures nation of peace, security in Eswatini
EZULWINI – Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini has assured emaSwati that government has discussed the critical issue of peace and security in the kingdom.
He assured that government will continue to strengthen security mechanisms, to ensure that every liSwati resident enjoys living in a peaceful and safe environment for all. “This will also pave the way to a peaceful national dialogue, devoid of any threats and intimidation of citizens,” said the Prime Minister.
The prime minister was speaking on Friday during the closing of the Cabinet Retreat, which took place at Royal Villas. The premier further disclosed that feedback had been conveyed to them that preparations for the national elections were at an advanced stage.
“Government is looking forward to an exciting elections year. We are particularly excited about the litany of public service projects that we hope to implement during the year,” said the premier.
He also stated that government had no doubt that these would massively improve the livelihoods of emaSwati and all residents of the kingdom.
Dlamini said the year 2023 was the national elections year and also the year in which the term of office for Cabinet and parliamentarians ends, to pave way for a new government.
He said he was happy to learn that civic and voter education would begin shortly.
“Government will support the elections by providing a significant budget for their success,” assured the premier. The PM said to vote was one of the rights that were enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
“We encourage all emaSwati to use
their right to participate in the elections. The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution; they should make their voices heard and contribute to national building,vote freely and fairly,” he said.
He further announced that his government would begin the monthly disbursement of elderly and disability grants with immediate effect. He also announced a funeral cover for the elderly worth E3 000 to help with funeral costs.
“With this cover, relatives of the deceased elderly will be able to claim E3 000 to help with funeral costs. The modalities of the cover will be announced by the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office,” said the premier.
The PM said the Cabinet retreat was an opportunity to take stock of the challenges and successes of the soon-to-end financial year and use those to plan for the coming year. He said despite some
setbacks that were faced as a country, there were still many successes that ‘far outweigh the bad,’
Dlamini said Eswatini was now recognised by the World Bank as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, with a GDP growth rate of 7.4 per cent in 2021, the highest in the region. “Eswatini was in 2022, ranked sixth in Africa’s Industrialisation Index by the African Development Bank,” said the PM.
He said those were positive developments for the small economy, particularly as the nation was just emerging from the effects of COVID-19.
He said since the government launched the Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Road map in August 2020, there had been significant investments coming into the country. Dlamini said the government was able to achieve that despite several challenges that included the pandemic itself as well as the 2021 social unrest.
He said the government successfully secured investments to the value of E12.5 billion, with the potential to create over 25 000 jobs.
“Some of these investments are already at operational stage, while others are at the initiation phase. At this point, it is important to note with appreciation the role played by His Majesty King Mswati III in investment facilitation, as some of these investments are a result of his effort in persuading investors to invest in Eswatini during international assignments,” he added.
ASSURED THE NATION
Dlamini further assured the nation that in the coming financial year, the government was looking at creating at least 12 000 new jobs in various sectors such as mining, agro-processing, energy, financial services, real estate, textile and manufacturing.
The premier also disclosed that there were still several challenges hampering investment growth that needed to be addressed. He said these include reconsideration of the work permits policy and making it more transparent to investors.
He also disclosed that the Cabinet had resolved to set up a committee that comprised all relevant stakeholders, which will sit down to strategise on how best this matter could be expedited, right up to policy and legislative level if necessary.
Meanwhile, the PM also disclosed that the government was alive to the issue of
drug shortages, which had been a major national concern over the past few years.
“We agreed that perhaps it is time we considered privatising the supply and distribution of medicines at public hospitals. Other options are also on the table,” said the PM.
He said his Cabinet, has agreed that the issue was critical, as a healthy nation was what all governments should aspire to attain and retain. He said the Cabinet has looked at strategies that needed to be urgently implemented to ensure that this issue did not continue in the coming financial year. Speaking on youth empowerment, Dlamini said it remained one of their biggest mandates as government. He said that was why they were grateful for projects such as the Eswatini National Youth Empowerment programme done in collaboration with UNDP. He said the project, was launched by His Majesty King Mswati III, and seeks to empower thousands of young people through artisan skills training, entrepreneurship, mentorship and digital skills training, among others.
He said the government was looking forward to other new youth empowerment projects that were in the pipeline, which would also be implemented with the support of partners.