Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Municipal Council of Mbabane has spent at least E51 900 000 for at least eight capital projects in the financial year 2022/2023.
According to the council’s annual report, some of these projects were still ongoing, while some were practically complete. These projects include the rehabilitation of the Somhlolo Road, of which its budget was E37 million. This road was officially opened by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, around July 2023 after the contractor, Inyatsi Construction, completed the project. Another project that the council undertook was the rehabilitation of Makhosini Drive, which is now practically complete and the budget for this project was E7.1 million. The council reported that a new streetlighting installation project was progressing well from a budget of E2.5 million as Dalriach roads were almost complete.
Streetlights
The council highlighted that the total number of streetlights installed in the foregoing financial year totalled to 114. The council reported to have received approval from the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA) for the establishment of a CTA public transport holding area and establishment of the SOS Sidwashini satellite bus rank. The budget for the projects is E400 000 for each. The city council further indicated that the expenditure for pothole patching in the 2022-2023 financial year was E7 200 000, with coverage of 14 519 square metres, excluding the temporary patching done by soil-crete. The coverage shows about a 31 per cent increase compared to the 2022/23 financial year due to the high amount and frequency of rains received. The council said the rehabilitation of the roads had increased; however, the rate at which the potholes develop was also increasing because a considerable number of roads had exceeded their lifespan.
Increase
The council is said to have opted to increase the rate of soil-crete until such time when funds would be available for rehabilitation. On grading and re-gravelling, the council stated that about 50.6km was completed during the 2022-23 financial year. This includes stabilisation using the ISS250 stabilising agent, to improve available gravel properties, on badly damaged gravel roads and some gravel roads which were eventually upgraded to double seal (tarred). “This is a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year,” read the report.
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