BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
SITHOBELA– The upgrading of the MR14 and MR21 roads will position Eswatini as a preferred logistics hub within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by strengthening transport links with South Africa and Mozambique
This was disclosed by the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on Thursday.Dlamini when officially launching the civil works for the road project at Sithobela Inkhundla, where he described the corridors as key components of the country’s regional trade network.
He said the project formed Phase I of the Eswatini Road Infrastructure Improvement Programme (ERIIP), which is being financed through a partnership between Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
According to the Prime Minister, the upgraded MR14 and MR21 corridors would improve the movement of goods across borders, facilitating smoother regional trade while enhancing Eswatini’s position within the Southern African Development Community.
He said the improved transport network would also boost regional tourism and strengthen the country’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dlamini said the road project had been deliberately integrated with the Mpakeni Dam project, with the upgraded roads expected to provide the main transport routes for agricultural produce, construction materials and technical equipment associated with the dam.
He said the combined infrastructure developments would contribute towards agricultural production, industrial growth and water security.
The Prime Minister said that once completed, the climate-resilient roads would lower transport costs, reduce vehicle maintenance expenses and improve access to markets for farmers by enabling produce to reach consumers more efficiently.
He added that the project would also help eliminate the historical isolation of rural communities while supporting the establishment of permanent commercial hubs through market stalls and school refurbishment projects launched alongside the road development.
Dlamini urged communities to protect the infrastructure by ensuring developments along the road corridor did not interfere with road reserves or compromise the intended use of the investment.
He also appealed to traditional leaders to exercise their land allocation responsibilities carefully to safeguard the long-term benefits of the project and minimise future relocations arising from developments too close to the road reserves.
The prime minister urged on the joint venture of Stefanutti Stocks, WBHO and Cheil Engineering to deliver the project to the expected standard, on time and within budget, before officially declaring the civil works launched.These versions use a tighter, hard-news lead and are expanded to approximately 500 words each, while remaining strictly within the information contained in the Prime Minister’s remarks.
(Courtesy Pic)
