Storm disaster, political unrest: Microprojects spends E10.5m in rehabilitation
MBABANE – Microprojects has spent E10.5million in rehabilitation of infrastructure that was damaged by storms and the political unrest in 2022.
In a report received from the department, it transpired that over E6 million was used on primary schools while over E4.5 million was spent on high schools.
The report comes at a time when the country and other African countries were battling torrential rainfall and a possible tropical cyclone named Freddy.
The report further revealed that the department required an outstanding amount of over E23.7 million to finish ongoing storm damage projects.
Worth noting, was that funds from the 2020/21 financial year were used to rehabilitate affected schools.
The Ministry of Education and Training in collaboration with the unit further managed to positively implement infrastructure projects for the education sector in a total of 252 schools, which included the construction of 429 structures.
“168 classroom blocks, 17 administration blocks, 35 ten-door pit toilets, 72 staff houses, seven fencing, 14 kitchens, one library, 30 laboratories, 18 school water schemes, 64 repair projects, (one laboratory, two administration blocks, two kitchens, 24 staff houses, 20 flush toilets and 15 classrooms) were completed,” read the report.
APPROXIMATE COST
All projects were built at an approximate cost of E218 500 000 allocated from the 2020/21 financial year.
The Ministry of Education and Training in collaboration with the department also implemented nine Capital Projects which were constructed in the past financial year.
The projects include the rehabilitation of facilities at Mlalatini Development Centre and Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT) while hostel facilities were rehabilitated at Gwamile VOCTIM and storage facilities at the William Pitcher College.
At Sebenta National Institute, the unit constructed an administration block while staff houses were constructed at Mvembili Skills Centre and Ngwane Teacher Training College.
Six workshops were rehabilitated at Vocational Skill Centre and at Manzini
Regional Education Offices a storage facility was built.
“Following the recent storm destruction and arson attacks in various schools, the unit was engaged by the ministry to rehabilitate the structures. Initially, a total of 33 schools were affected by storms.
“Further assessment revealed seven more schools bringing it to a total of 40 schools that were damaged by storms.
“Nine high schools, 29 primary schools and two vocational training centres were damaged. Of the 40 damaged schools, 36 schools were rehabilitated, while four lacked funding,” said Microprojects.
The unit further noted that nine schools required minor rehabilitation such as glazing, ceiling and the replacement gutters among other things.
The 31 other schools required major rehabilitation such as casting of new ring beam and the erecting new roof trusses among others.
MOST AFFECTED STRUCTURES
It was further reported that the most affected structures were 115 classrooms, 17 staff houses and 11 administration blocks.
“Minor works undertaken included: electrical wiring, replacement of damaged doors, replacement of damaged down-pipes, glazing, installation of new ceiling, replacement of gutters etc.
“Major works undertaken included: casting new ring beam, block work to gable-ends, erecting new roof trusses, laying of new roofing sheets, plastering works on affected walls, electrical wiring, plumbing works, installation of new ceiling and cornice, painting works on affected walls and carpentry works especially in hostels,” revealed the report.
The unit noted challenges that were faced during the rehabilitation works. The challenges noted included unforeseen weak structures.
Part of the challenges included the fact that most of the structures had no structural ring beam, hence construction of new ring beams was mandatory.
AFFECTED SCHOOLS
“Clay bricks were used to construct some of the affected schools such as St Joseph’s School and Phophonyane Primary School. Make shift structures in some schools were used and these schools include Nyokeni Primary School.
“We discovered that some structures were old, while some were noted to be beyond rehabilitation due to dilapidated infrastructure,” said Microprojects.
The unit noted that the main cause for the damages was the continuous rainfall
“Heavy consistent rainfall caused more damage to already affected structures (ceiling, chalkboards, and floor tiles). In other structures electrical works had to be completely redone because they were totally damaged,” further read the report.
Microprojects further noted that about 35 bridges that were built through the project had not been affected by the storm.
They reflected that the bridges were one of the success stories of the unit which were achieved through its mother ministry.
The unit is under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
Director at Microprojects Sibusiso Mbingo was contacted for a comment and could only confirm the report but said that all achievements by the unit were directly wins for the ministry.
“As a unit we are under the supervision and direction of government and therefore we cannot be in a position to give you a comment, except that we are aware of the reports you are mentioning,” he said.
Efforts were made to reach the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development but by 6pm yesterday there was no response.