MBABANE – Lawmakers have expressed serious concern over the management of the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel (ICC/FISH) project, after revelations that the Millennium Projects Unit responsible for overseeing it operates with only four officials.
Director of Millennium Projects, Patrick Mnisi, told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday that his office is staffed by just two engineers, an economist, and himself.
This disclosure came after Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo questioned the unit’s capacity, citing its poor track record.
“How many officials in the Millennium Projects Unit are actually qualified for the job?” Nxumalo asked, while lamenting the unit’s reliance on consultants.
Nxumalo argued that the continued hiring of consultants had drained public funds and was a sign of insufficient in-house expertise.
“You cannot have a government entity that heavily relies on consultants as they are very expensive. Did the Ministry of Public Service refuse to approve new posts? Because we will bleed this country dry if we continue this way,” he warned.
Ballooning Costs
PAC members also raised concerns about the sharp escalation of costs linked to bulk earthworks on the ICC/FISH project. Auditor General Timothy Matsebula’s Compliance Audit Report revealed that the cost had skyrocketed from an initial E80 million tender to E567 million—without resulting in any visible structure.
“This is unacceptable. How can groundwork alone escalate to half a billion?” asked Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla.
The AG further noted that his office was not provided with variation orders to justify the massive increase in expenditure.
Questions Over Consultants
The committee also scrutinised the role of Taiwan-based CECI Engineering Consultants, which has been managing the project after taking over from the Aurecon/Manyatsi-Nhleko joint venture. PAC members questioned how CECI was engaged and why it operated independently, given that foreign firms had previously been required to form joint ventures with local companies.
Adding to the controversy, the AG reported that a joint venture consultant was irregularly procured for E16.3 million in project management services. According to the report, Manyatsi-Nhleko Quantity Surveyors—who had no prior project management experience—were appointed as joint venture partners with Aurecon in April 2017, contravening Section 38 of the Procurement Act of 2011.
“This contravenes principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money,” Assistant Auditor General Samkelo Motsa told the PAC.
Government’s Response
In defence, Controlling Officer Thabsile Mlangeni said the initial Bicon/Aurecon JV was dissolved due to skills shortages. “The skill was necessary, and when it was lacking, the more experienced partner Aurecon remained and was joined by a new Swati partner,” Mlangeni explained.
Despite these explanations, PAC members said the staffing weaknesses, questionable procurements, and soaring costs painted a troubling picture of the management of the ICC/FISH project.