By Musa Mdluli

The State controlled media has been pushing a narrative, blaming the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise(EWADE) for awarding a tender to Chinese companies in the ongoing construction of the R2.6billion Mpakeni Dam.

But while some of the concerns calling for local companies to be considered for such tenders, it must be understood that the tender requirements are normally drafted by the international funders in this regard, the African Development Bank(AfDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development.

Eswatini construction companies normally express frustration when foreign firms secure major projects in the country but, the uncomfortable truth is that, these failures often stem from the contractors themselves not the Government agencies or international competitors. 

The R154.8million EWADE tender for the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme (MNWAP) Phase 1B Lot 2 construction of the Secondary Distribution System-SDS exemplifies this reality.

As mentioned, media narratives suggest that awarding the contract to the Chinese consortium, ZTCS Joint Venture, was biased but, the official evaluation report tells a different story. 

It has been confirmed that, local construction companies were afforded every opportunity, including a 7.5% price preference, yet many failed to meet even the most basic requirements.

Perhaps it is important to state that, while we advocate for the empowerment of local construction companies, we must not disregard the basic objective of constructing a quality Dam that will enhance the country’s economic development.

It has been reported that, six(6) companies submitted bids, including a mix of local, regional and international firms, the evaluation was conducted under African Development Bank guidelines, began with a straightforward compliance checklist. 

Unfortunately, several local firms faltered due to elementary errors: incorrect bid forms, missing bid securities, unrealistic or zero-cost pricing, and excessive pricing that would have burdened taxpayers.

Information gathered suggests that, one technically capable company submitted a Letter of Bid using the wrong template and quoted zero for preliminary items while another proposed completing a 36-month project in just fourteen(14) months, omitting critical activities such as pipeline testing and backfilling. 

Even some foreign firms failed to meet basic compliance and were disqualified, ultimately, only three(3) bids, including ZTCS Joint Venture, advanced past the initial stage, with the consortium emerging as the lowest evaluated bidder, meeting all technical and financial criteria.

What is most concerning is that the Government, through EWADE, made deliberate efforts to empower local contractors but despite all these efforts, some local companies failed only to use or unleash the media thereafter to attack EWADE.

Phase 1B Lot 2 and Lot 3 were designed with simplified requirements and a price preference to give local firms a competitive edge but many squandered this advantage, some by overpricing, others by underestimating timelines, and some by ignoring fundamental rules. 

This negligence translates into lost taxpayer money that could have been better invested in eSwatini development.

But let’s consider the example of Sakhalive JV, the Chinese consortium constructing the E2.6 billion Mpakeni Dam. 

Their exemplary work ethic, meticulous planning, and disciplined execution have saved millions of Rands, they completed the permanent camp within one hundred and twenty-four(124) days and commissioned the diversion channel ahead of schedule. 

Each milestone achieved efficiently delivers tangible value for money, this is the benchmark local contractors must strive for not just technical proficiency, but commercial discipline and operational excellence.

But local contractors must stop blaming external factors, the opportunities exist what is lacking is readiness, professionalism and attention to detail. 

Compliance, fair pricing, realistic timelines, and disciplined execution are non-negotiable, demonstrating both technical and commercial capability is essential.

In conclusion, it is important to state that, we must allow EWADE to administrate this project in accordance with international standards, unjust interference and media narratives with hidden business motives might result to the country having a poorly constructed Mpakeni Dam. 

In as a much as we may wish to see local construction companies awarded such tenders, they must awarded based on clearly demonstrated capabilities to do the work not just emotional wishes to see local contractors benefiting.