By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MPAKENI:King Mswati toured the R2.6billion under-construction Mpakeni Dam on Monday, a project funded through a loan sourced from the African Development Bank(AfDB) with the tender awarded to Sakhalive Joint Venture being a consortium between Chinese engineering giants Sinohydro and Yellow River.

The project is continuing smoothly in the South-eastern parts of the Kingdom despite diplomatic barriers between the two(2) countries, eSwatini does not have diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China(PRC).

But the Chinese companies won the tender at continental level and approved by the AfDB after a highly competitive tendering process, the project is expected to enhance energy and agricultural production in eSwatini while contributing to economic growth and development.

Samson Sithole, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the State owned Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise(EWADE) told the King that, local companies were subcontracted to enhance job creation, empowerment of the Small and Medium Enterprise(SME) sector and the transfer of skills.

“We also managed to facilitate the participation of local companies through subcontracts Your Majesty to ensure that emaSwati benefit from this project,” said the EWADE Chief Executive Officer.

On another note, King Mswati applauded EWADE for the project, he then urged residents and other emaSwati to establish multimillion projects or schemes and benefit from the Mpakeni Dam.

“It’s a life changing opportunity, residents and other emaSwati must take advantage and establish multimillion schemes to fight poverty,” said the King when touring the under-construction Dam.

The Mpakeni Dam is one of the major projects “that appears to be rising above the China-eSwatini diplomatic barriers” to produce a quality Dam, Chief Executive Officer Samson Sithole previously told this publication that, the Chinese companies engaged to construct the Mpakeni Dam have proven to be experts and the country will see the value for money.