Africa-Press – Eswatini. Cabinet’s outcome delivery plan from its retreat identified three priority areas, which will help grow the economy and improve the nation’s welfare.
The retreat prioritised the People’s Parliament submissions, economic growth and service delivery.
Outlining the outcome of the retreat, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, during a press conference yesterday, said the country’s development partners presented solutions that they thought would be the best to achieve economic growth and the welfare of Emaswati.
He said government partners showed that they were ready to work together with government to improve the education system.
“We would like to thank our partners, including the United Nations Systems and the World Bank who have shown interest in helping us achieve this,” Dlamini said.
The premier said the summary was that the economy was growing, but the rate at which it was growing should be improved so that the country’s needs could be met.
He stated that the retreat also decided that government should come up with ambitious plans that would be implemented aggressively to increase the rate of economic development.
He also touched on service delivery, saying government would ensure that civil servants were monitored if they were doing the work they were employed for and if they do it on time.
This, he said, would be done through the implementation of the performance management system, which would be implemented in April despite resistance from public sector associations.
The prime minister said the previous administration had already started working on the system and they would build on what they had done.
Further, he said they also discussed decentralisation, which would ensure that government services were available everywhere, and not just in Mbabane as per Sibaya submissions. Decentralisation, according to the premier, would also be prioritised as per the dictates of the Tinkhundla system of governance.
strengthened
He went on to state that the retreat also discussed the education system, saying it should be reworked and strengthened in order for it to be aligned with tomorrow’s economy.
“We also discussed issues related to energy and decided that the programmes that were already being worked on to allow the country to produce enough electricity should continue, and those responsible should ensure that they begin implementing those that have already been approved, and also approve those pending,” outlined the premier.
Also discussed was corruption, which the prime minister said they would do everything in their power to end it and stop the disappearance of government funds.
The premier said those who were corrupt would face the law and that government departments meant to end corruption would also do the work they were set up for.
“We ask the nation to stand up and ensure that the work that will be done happens smoothly,” he said.
Among the priority areas discussed, was responding and addressing the nation’s concerns raised during the People Parliament.
A number of issues were raised during Sibaya and these touched on different sectors, among which was dealing with corruption, improving service delivery, review and improving the minimum wage, improving the education sector and the economy, among others.
The nation also stated that government should deal with the issues of poverty, gender-based violence and unemployment.
Also raised were concerns about the poor service delivery in government health facilities, with a call for those involved in the drugs shortage to face the law.
Some speakers called for investigations in the office of the Master of the High Court.
The chief justice on Tuesday instituted a judicial commission into the Master’s office, with the commissioners being sworn-in yesterday.
His Majesty King Mswati III when appointing the prime minister said their mandate would be to deal with the issues raised by Emaswati.
Recently, the ministry of finance invited people’s submissions on the budget, which was one of the submissions that budgeting should begin at grassroots.
The prime minister assured that a more comprehensive and detailed report on the retreat would be released soon.
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