By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Approximately 78,000 Emaswati are set to benefit from the infrastructure programmes spearheaded by Engineers in Action (EIA) and Microprojects, with further developments anticipated in the coming year.
These initiatives encompass the construction of footbridges and water systems across the nation. Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla (DPM) officially inaugurated the Izola Suspension Bridge in the Lobamba Lomdzala Inkhundla on Friday, marking the conclusion of the 2024 projects, which included the establishment of 28 footbridges.
EIA contributed around E95 million, complemented by an estimated E19 million from Microprojects.
The DPM announced that moving forward; Engineers in Action and the Microprojects Programme will broaden their scope to construct eight new footbridges in 2025, alongside two school water projects. This investment of E35 million, with E25 million sourced from Engineers in Action and E10 million from the Microprojects Programme, underscores the significance of this collaboration.
Dladla expressed pride in the achievements of EIA in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development’s Microprojects Programme, highlighting the construction of 28 footbridges across 23 Tinkhundla and a water project that now serves Matfuntini Primary School.
“In the past seven years, these programmes have hosted over 200 international engineers, students, and experts who contributed to the design and construction of these life-saving projects. EIA’s commitment to supporting Emaswati communities has resulted in improved access for over 78,000 individuals nationwide,” she stated.
Dladla further emphasised that this partnership with Engineers in Action unites the country in addressing some of its most pressing needs: ensuring safe access to schools, markets, and clinics, as well as guaranteeing the provision of clean water for the health of our children.
“This is a momentous occasion that embodies the values of unity and resilience we cherish in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Today, we inaugurate the final bridge of the 2024 construction season, the Izola Suspension Bridge. This remarkable structure was built collaboratively by the Microprojects and EIA teams, who have dedicated the past seven years to developing local capacity in civil engineering and construction,” she remarked.
“Let us embrace this new chapter with pride and gratitude. Engineers in Action, alongside Microprojects, are helping us construct more than mere footbridges and water systems. Together, we are forging a stronger, healthier, and more interconnected Eswatini. May the spirit of this endeavour inspire us all to support and uplift one another, creating legacies that future generations will remember and celebrate,” she concluded.
