E1.5bn contract: Probase finally completes

µµBesides the slow pace in completing the project, there were also concerns about the quality of the paving because the roads developed defects a few months after being paved.”

MBABANE ± $fter numerous complaints over the slow pace at which the paving of 200 kilometres of road across the country with the chemical stabiliser known as probase was being carried out, the ( . billion proMect has now been completed.

Initially, the proMect, which was being carried out by Probase (swatini under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement (finance and build model), was supposed to be finalised on 'ecember 0, 202 after having commenced on 'ecember , 20 .

Probase (swatini is a local company registered in September 20 under the directorship of Seow &heng Soon and

*overnment, through the Ministry of Public :orks and Transport, has indicated that an updated completion date was the end of the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year, which was supposed to be the end of -une 2022.

The ministry has listed three factors as having led to the extension of the completion date, and these are inclement weather, political unrests and the impacts of &O9I'- .

%esides the slow pace in completing

Year

No.

PROBASE SITES, DISTANCE, CONSTITUENCY AND PROGRESS

Road and Length(km)

Constituency

Progress

(%) 100

100

100

100

100

100

100

95

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

1 1 FR: Mahlanya-Bethany - 6.9 Lobamba Lomdzala

1 2 D8: Ntondozi-KaNdinda- 10 Ntondozi

1 3 KaMchoza - 2.1 Lobamba

1 4 FR: Somnjalose-Mvutjin i- 1.2 Lobamba

1 5 Ezulwini-Elangen i- 6.7 Lobamba

1 6 D118: LaMgabhi- Gobholo - 14.3 Hhukwini/Mbabane East

1 7 FR: Sigombeni-Mdlwangwe -15.2 Ludzeludze/Hhukwini

1 8 Mhlaleni-Ludzeludze - 5.3 Ludzeludze/Kwaluseni

2 9 D98: Ngwane Park - Sidvokodvo - 21.8 Mtfongwaneni/Manzini South

2 10 Sidvokodvo-Zamani Primary - 7.7 Mahlangatja

2 11 D10: Luve- St Florence - 18 Mkhiweni/Maphalaleni

2 12 D44: Malindza- Dvokodvweni - 9.2 Dvokodvweni

2 13 D57B: Ngwane College – MRI1 Junction Maseyisini

2 14 D1548: Masiphula- Mkhwakhweni - 4.7 Shiselweni 1

3 15 D90: Msuzaneni-Zindwendweni - 9.8 Matsanjeni/Somntongo

3 16 FR: Mpolonjeni-Mbabane - 7.5 Motshane/Mbabane West

3 17 D81: Torgyle P. Sch- Lundzi - 15.5 Mhlambanyatsi

3 18 FR: Nkhaba- Mbuluzi - 12.4 Nkhaba

3 19 D11: Msumphe- Mashobeni - 17.8 Ntfonjeni/Timphisini

3 20 D20: Buhleni- Herefords - 3.9 Mayiwane/Ndzingeni the proMect, there were also conMembers of Parliament (MP), in 1dwandwe. cerns about the quality of the paving March 202 , took up the matter of the Hhukwini MP 1khanyeti 1gwenya because the roads developed defects a probase proMect with Minister of Public said the chemical stabiliser was a few months after being paved. :orks and Transport &hief 1dlaluhlaza waste of money as it looked unsuitable for (swatini roads.

He feared what could turn out to be an abysmal state of the roads after the rains had washed them off.

MP 1gwenya complained about the potholes on the roads paved with the chemical stabiliser.

Maphalaleni MP Mabulala Maseko, who is also the Minister of Public Service, asked &hief 1dlaluhlaza if his portfolio was not considering alternative options for upgrading the country’s rural roads.

He asked the minister if he was not considering the single layer tar.

The MPs also called for the cost analysis of probase against the single