BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE– Members of Parliament (MPs) have piled pressure on the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to urgently address deteriorating roads across the country, as government moves ahead with road rehabilitation and upgrading projects worth more than E464 million this financial year.
The concerns emerged during debate on the Ministry’s First Quarter Performance Report tabled in Parliament yesterday. Today MPs from across the political divide complained that poor road conditions continue to isolate communities, disrupt access to essential services and place elected representatives under growing pressure from residents.
Several MPs, including Speaker of the House of Assembly Jabulani Mabuza, spoke in one voice, urging the ministry to ensure equitable allocation of resources for road maintenance and rehabilitation across constituencies.
Members said residents in some areas had resorted to repairing roads themselves because of delays in government intervention, leaving MPs struggling to explain why road conditions remain poor despite repeated appeals.
They warned that damaged roads, washed-away crossings and deteriorating feeder routes were cutting off communities from schools, health facilities and economic opportunities.
The debate came as the ministry reported that it had set aside E70 million under its Emergency Rehabilitation Programme to address road failures caused by persistent above-normal rainfall experienced across the country.
According to the report, heavy rains negatively affected sections of the national road network, including main roads, feeder roads and low-level crossings, resulting in extensive damage and infrastructure failures.
The ministry noted that bridges and low-level crossings had been washed away in some areas, while road crossings were failing at an unprecedented rate, leaving certain communities completely cut off.
“The country’s road network on some main roads, feeder roads and low-level crossings in rural areas had been negatively affected by persistent above-normal rains,” the ministry stated in the report.
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To address the situation, emergency rehabilitation works are expected to focus on restoring damaged infrastructure and improving accessibility to affected communities.
Beyond emergency interventions, the ministry is also implementing a major roads improvement programme aimed at upgrading district and main roads throughout the country.
Under the Roads Improvement Programme, government has allocated E394 million this financial year to construct 206 kilometres of roads using double-seal and asphalt surfacing technologies.
The programme forms part of efforts to improve road conditions and strengthen connectivity between communities and economic centres.
The ministry also reported progress on preparations for the long-awaited Bulembu–Pigg’s Peak Road and Magoga Road project (MR2 and MR20).
According to the report, procurement processes for the updating of feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs have been completed. The ministry has already finalized negotiations with a responsive consultant following the conclusion of the tender process.
The project is being funded through the Manzini Golf Course Interchange Project allocation and is expected to provide updated technical studies required before implementation can proceed.
Meanwhile, one of the largest road projects currently under implementation is the Eswatini Road Infrastructure Improvement Programme (ERIIP) Phase I, which will upgrade the Siphofaneni–Sithobela–Maloma–Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma–Siphambanweni (MR21) roads.
The programme is being financed jointly by the African Development Bank, which is contributing US$140.6 million (approximately E2.53 billion), and the Government of Eswatini, which is providing US$35.1 million (approximately E632 million), bringing the total project value to US$175.7 million (approximately E3.16 billion).
The project will upgrade a combined 105.9 kilometres of road to paved standard, comprising 80.2 kilometres along the MR14 corridor and 25.7 kilometres on MR21.
According to the ministry, the project aims to improve connectivity, reduce transport costs and stimulate socio-economic growth in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions.
The scope extends beyond road construction and includes the rehabilitation and development of social infrastructure such as schools, markets and sporting facilities.
Institutional reforms are also planned under the programme, including the establishment of a Road Authority and Road Fund, strengthening of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the introduction of road safety audits and axle-load control measures.
The ministry reported that the Programme Implementation Unit has been fully mobilised and is currently managing procurement processes for civil works, consultancy services and goods.
Procurement of the main contractor has already been completed and the project has officially been launched.
The contractor is currently mobilising personnel, equipment and site facilities ahead of the commencement of physical construction works scheduled for 20 August 2026.
Despite the ongoing investments, MPs maintained that communities continue to face serious challenges due to poor road conditions and called on the ministry to accelerate interventions, particularly in rural constituencies where damaged roads and crossings continue to affect daily life.
They stressed that road infrastructure remains one of the most pressing concerns raised by constituents and urged government to ensure that rehabilitation and maintenance programmes reach all parts of the country.
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(Courtesy Pic)
