BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Government of the United States of America (US), Government of Japan and global partners have agreed to support Eswatini Government development initiatives with funds amounting to over E5 billion.
The funds to be directed to Eswatini government, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, include E3.674 billion from the United States of America, E31.532 million from Japan, E152.5 million from the European Union (EU) and E1.310 billion from the World Bank.
This is revealed in the ministry’s first quarter performance report under sub-heading 1.4.4 “Aid Coordination and Management Section”
“The Government remains grateful to its external Development Partners for the unwavering support they provide to aid the country’s development efforts and contribute to address existing challenges,” reads the report.
MOU on global health cooperation
It states that US$19 750 000 (about E 315 711 650) bridge funding was secured from the United States Government (USG) to support ongoing lifesaving activities funded by the USG while we wait the start of implementation of the recently signed bilateral MOU between the two countries. A US$205 million (about E3 277 007 000) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on global health cooperation was signed with the USG to cover the 2026-2030 period. Then US$5.1 million (about E81 525 540) grant was secured from the US Government to support Migration and Border Management activities in the country.
The report reveals further that Euro 8 million (about E152 527 200) was secured from the European Union (EU) as additional funding to the Euro 32 million initial allocation under the EU Multi Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027. Then JPY103 million (about E10 719 004) grant was secured from the Government of Japan to finance the purchase of Universal Buses for Persons with Disabilities in Eswatini. A PY200 million (about E20 813 600) grant was secured from the Government of Japan towards Food Assistance for the Homegrown School Feeding programme. US$82 million (about E1 310 802 800) concessional loan allocation was secured from the World Bank under IDA 21. The money is earmarked for financing: a Water Supply and Sanitation Access project; the Digitilisation Programme; Health and Education projects.
Millennium Projects Management Unit
Meanwhile, under Millennium Projects Management Unit continued to plan for, implement and manage projects according to the report. Under the construction of the New Parliament Building, installation of bulk water supply and electricity supply is almost complete. The only outstanding activity is the installation of the electricity transformer.
“The revised practical completion date for the ICC is April 2026. The interior fit out is almost complete. The only outstanding work includes supply of electronic systems, chandeliers, marble, carpets in selected rooms and furniture. On the Five Star Hotel the building is almost complete in terms of the grey box. Current works on the Hotel are mainly focused on the Feature Pool and Façade. Installation of the underground piping on the Pool is almost complete,” the report reads.
Micro Projects Programme Coordinating Unit
The Microprojects Programme Coordinating Unit (MPCU) continues to support government’s vision in enhancing access to social services, improving livelihoods and the overall socioeconomic landscape for Emaswati through the implementation of infrastructure and Income Generating Projects (IGPs). The Unit completed 43 projects under the Community Development Special Fund (CDSF), which comprise six dip tanks, five water supply schemes, five low-level crossings, three footbridges, seven suspended footbridges, eight road strips, six community halls, one community market, one old-aged home, and one neighbourhood care point, collectively benefiting approximately 344,365 people.
A total of 324 capital projects across several line ministries, including 280 structures for the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and 44 projects for other government ministries were complete.
“For the Ministry of Health, interventions included the construction of an Administration and Operations Centre at the Central Medical Stores, construction of offices and workshops for Biomed & HMIS at the Central Medical Stores (CMS), remedial works at Mbabane Government Hospital such as installation of a CT scan and oxygen tank, as well as the rehabilitation of Outpatient Department (OPD) at the Lubombo Referral Hospital, construction of OPD at Good Shepherd Hospital, rehabilitation of wards and installation of CCTV cameras at the National Psychiatric Centre and rehabilitation of wards at the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital.”
Other major ministerial contributions featured the rehabilitation of the Mafutseni, Malkerns, and Siteki police stations, reconstruction of eight Tinkhundla Centres, construction of an Aquaculture Research and Production Centre at the Malkerns Research Station, and infrastructure improvements at the Matsapha Fire Station, construction of the Manzini Autism Centre Phase 2 and rehabilitation works at the Somhlolo National Stadium Phase. Under the Regional Development Fund (RDF), 129 projects were completed comprising 65 infrastructure and 64 IGPs to benefit about 22 481 people.
Funds for Aid breakdown:
The US Government
• E3.277 billion
• E315.7 million
• E81.5 million
Japan Government
• E20.8 million
• E10.7 million
World Bank
• E1.3 billion
European Union
• E152.5 million
#USGovernment #JapanGovernment #EswatiniGovernment #EuropeanUnion #WorldBank #DevelopmentProjects
