Africa-Press – Eswatini. OVER 490 households and about 2 000 members of the community under the Maphalaleni Constituency will now have access to clean portable water.
This has been made possible through the funding of about E15 million from the Republic of China (Taiwan). The project, known as Lubuyane clean water project, was launched on wednesday at Ekusheletini and was attended by supporting partners and community members.
Maphalaleni Member of Parliament, Mabulala Maseko, said the project would cover a number communities such as Ekulimeni, Malanganini, Lubhijini, Ekusheletini and Mtjopane. He said there were also four primary schools, one high school and a clinic that would also benefit from the project.
Appreciate
The MP expressed gratitude to the Taiwan government for the kind gesture and further urged the community members to assist the development partners in implementing the project.
“It is indeed a blessing for us and we really appreciate the project.
We promise to offer our help where needed to ensure its success and further make sure the water is used efficiently and is safe guarded,” said the MP who is also the minister of public service.
Meanwhile Micro Projects Managing Director, Sibusiso Mbingo appreciated the funding from the Taiwan government.
He noted that the Taiwanese had contributed a total of E50 million funding towards the project which had been extended to other constituencies including Nkwene, Sigombeni, Matsanjeni North and Maphalaleni.
The MD acknowledged that, while the country had done well in electricity projects, access to clean portable water was one assignment which government still needed to pursue extensively. “At the moment access to clean water is at 67 per cent and we need to put in more effort in order to improve the numbers,” he said.
He further invited the ambassador to tour the schemes that have been funded by the government.
Meanwhile, Maphalaleni Inkhundla Bucopho Maphevu Dlamini said the project would go a long way in improving the health of the community.
He said this was because residents had, for a long time, shared water with livestock and were prone to water borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
“The only source of drinking water was through man powered boreholes. In most cases the water comes out dirty because the livestock would sometimes relieve themselves in the water after drinking.
“But we drink it because we do not have any other option,” said Dlamini.
He said that they were very excited about the water project launched as they would now get access to clean water, something that would help reduce visits to the clinic.
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