By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Jeremy Liang,the Taiwan Ambassador has allegedly started the lobbying of Members of Parliament(MPs) ahead of the R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve debate, a project that is marred by allegations of corruption.

The Ambassador who allegedly colluded with SwaziPharm Director Kareem Ashraff to grab the project, allegedly signed an agreement with Government through his agent CECI Consulting Engineers, the agreement is highly expected to be debated by Parliament.

Three(3) Cabinet Ministers who double as MPs in Labour Minister Phila Buthelezi, Education Minister Owen Nxumalo and Economic Planning Minister Dr Thambo Gina are reportedly preparing to support the project in Parliament, these are the same MPs who were assisted with rice and other resources to win the recent Tinkhundla elections.

But this time,the MPs are allegedly being bribed with other resources for their Constituencies including part of the R10million rice to be distributed again to voters, they are urged to convince other MPs in Parliament to support the highly controversial project.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.

In October 2024, during a workshop for Members of Parliament(MPs) held in Pigg’s Peak, Nhlanhla Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Eswatini National Petroleum Company told the MPs that, Taiwan was seeking to take over the project despite the fact that, as the Board and Management, they have identified a company that agreed to construct the Oil Reserves with R2.2billion.

“Government is engaging Taiwan on the same project and as the situation stands, we have two(2) prices R2.2billion and R5.2billion”, said the Chief Executive Officer.

Nkomiyahlaba MP Mduduzi Dlamini urged MPs to vigorously prevent Taiwan from taking over the project to protect public funds.

“As MPs,we must do what is best for emaSwati not a few individuals”, he said. 

Other MPs expressed concern that, a company from Taiwan will walk away with R5.2billion public funds when there’s another company that was engaged for the same project at R2.2billion.

The Ambassador declined to comment about the matter but, he previously referred comments to the Government.

King Mswati officially opened Parliament on Friday and,it remains to be seen if the MPs will approve the R5.2billion project.

On another note, the project is highly expected to be funded through a fuel levy increase and this, means emaSwati will pay more money for a project that will benefit Taiwan.