- Qualified emaSwati must get first priority for available jobs
- Surprise inspection confirms labour concerns at E5.2 billion Strategic Oil Reserve Project
- Government pushes local participation in major national infrastructure project
BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
PHUZUMOYA- The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, has directed the management of the E5.2 billion Strategic Oil Reserve Facility in Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni, to prioritise qualified emaSwati for available jobs and ensure full compliance with Eswatini’s labour laws after a surprise inspection confirmed labour-related concerns at the project.
The unannounced inspection was conducted following allegations that some expatriate employees were working without valid work permits and that foreign workers were occupying positions that could be filled by qualified emaSwati.
Accompanied by Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, Labour Commissioner Kingdom Mamba, the Chief Immigration Officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other senior government officials.
The Minister met with the project’s management team, including the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC) Chief Executive Officer, before engaging directly with employees on site to verify the allegations and assess working conditions.
Speaking after the inspection, Buthelezi said the investigation confirmed that some of the concerns raised were genuine. He also noted that some expatriate employees were receiving salaries significantly higher than those paid to emaSwati workers performing similar duties.
The Minister stressed that employers operating in Eswatini must comply with the country’s labour and immigration laws by ensuring that available local skills guide recruitment decisions. He said foreign nationals should only be employed where the required expertise cannot be sourced locally and after all legal requirements have been met.
Buthelezi further directed the company to give first priority to qualified emaSwati for all positions where the necessary skills are available in the country. He said jobs that emaSwati are qualified to perform should not be allocated to foreign workers, adding that national development projects must create employment opportunities for citizens while contributing to skills development and economic growth.
Project management assured the Minister that a comprehensive report addressing all concerns raised during the inspection would be submitted before the end of the week. The company also committed itself to taking corrective measures and ensuring full compliance with all labour, immigration and employment regulations.
The Phuzumoya Strategic Oil Reserve Facility is one of Eswatini’s largest strategic infrastructure investments, valued at E5.2 billion. Managed by the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC), the facility will have a storage capacity of 80 million litres, comprising four 10-million-litre diesel tanks and four 10-million-litre unleaded petrol tanks.
Once completed, it will provide a 60-day national fuel reserve, strengthening the country’s energy security and protecting Eswatini against fuel supply disruptions, global price volatility and shortages.
Construction is being undertaken by Taiwan’s Overseas Electrical Engineering Company (OECC) and is expected to be completed within 36 months, with the project currently standing at 16 percent completion.
The development also includes a truck yard with fuel gantries, a rail siding and modern storage infrastructure. Government has directed that at least 30 percent of the project’s value should benefit local contractors, suppliers and workers to promote local economic participation.
During his inspection of the project on June 26, 2026, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini reaffirmed Government’s expectation that the facility must be completed within the agreed timeframe, budget and quality standards.
He also emphasised that the 30 percent local participation requirement must be fully implemented to ensure emaSwati businesses, contractors and workers benefit from the investment while building local capacity for future mega projects.
The Prime Minister further linked the project to Government’s target of achieving 12 percent economic growth by the 2028/29 financial year and said there are long-term plans to expand the country’s strategic fuel storage capacity from 60 days to 90 days.
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(Courtesy Pic)
