Ex-ESASCCO building rehabilitation to bring 120 jobs

MBABANE – The rehabilitation and operation of the former ESASCCO building in Mbabane comes with positive environmental and social impacts, including 120 direct and indirect jobs.

Increased employment opportunities, increase in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and revenue, a hike in entrepreneurial opportunities, alleviation of crime, increased availability of office and parking space as well as alien invasive species removal and improved management are some of the positive environmental impacts associated with the renovations and operation of the former Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Co-ops (ESASCCO) building.

This is contained in the environmental audit and comprehensive mitigation plan on the completion of the building, which is accessible at the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA).

The report depicts that according to the Mbabane state of the environment, 14.69 per cent of the population is unemployed and the renovation of the building will generate approximately 120 direct and indirect job opportunities.

This would include people in the vicinity and those in other areas of Eswatini and it would also contribute to the alleviation of unemployment in the country.

Revealed

The renovation activities will lead to the increase in the national GDP for the service sector as revealed in the report and the supply of goods and services for the project will lead to increased taxes in value added tax (VAT), income tax and pay-as-you-earn (PAYE), which would contribute significantly to the country’s revenues.

“The project will require goods and services that are offered by local companies. This will increase opportunities for local entrepreneurs and contribute significantly to alleviating poverty in the country,” reads the report.

Also highlighted on the positive impacts of the project was that neighbouring establishments and residents indicated that there was currently high crime on the site and its surroundings and the incomplete building had become a haven for criminal activities.

However, completion of the building would help stop these unwelcome activities and improve the safety of the site and its surroundings. “Due to poor lighting in the area and the fact that there is open space and the waste disposals site in close proximity, there is crime on the site. The proposed project will result in improved lighting around the area and this will contribute to a decrease in criminal activities,” reads the report.

The project, as stated in the report, would also result in increased availability of office space as well as parking options in the city. Parking is one of the major challenges within Mbabane, such that the site was used informally for parking.

It was also revealed that the proposed project site was home to some alien species like bug weed and project activities would ensure a proper clean-up and maintenance of the site and deliberate improved management of these alien species.

Attract

The operation phase of the project is expected to attract an estimated 500 people at various levels in the offices. Construction and decommissioning of the project commenced on October 2022 and is expected to last until March 2024. Commissioning of the building is expected on April 2024.

The report was prepared in accordance with the Environmental Audit, Assessment and Review Regulations, 2000 for the completion of the building and the aim of the report was to evaluate the current environmental and social status for the building, after being abandoned for more than 15 years.