Mafeteng
Sponsored by the Government of Lesotho, the World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU), the implementation of the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase II (LLWDP II) has turned its Focuson Zones 6 and 7 (Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek). This was revealed by the LLWDP II Project Manager, MathealiraLerotholi, in Mafeteng this Wednesday.
After a long crisis stature for the people of Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, a flicker of hope has been sparked by the LLWDP II in the workshop that was held at Mafube Guest House. The workshop attracted the presence of members of parliaments, project developers, law enforcement personnel, media houses and the Minister of Energy, with the serving pipeline set to run from Morija to Metolong.
Speaking at the workshop, the Minister of Energy, MohlomiMoleko, said the world was currently focused on obtaining success in Sustainable Development Goal 6.
“This means by the year 2030, every global citizen should have access to clean water. This project here in Lesotho is set up to ensure that the possibility of this within our region is met,”Mohlomi said.
He said he was optimistic that in a not-so-distant future, Basotho would live without the weight of paying for water and electricitylectricity as these bill payments would have been lifted off their shoulders. The Minister said he believed this was possible since Lesotho has adequate water supply and generates enough turnover in a year to self-supply maintenance costs.
“Last year, Mafeteng got a bitter taste of lacking water and thismade rounds on the news. The Prime Minister then pressed that my ministry move swiftly to address this matter. I am therefore grateful to see strides implemented to seeing this project getting underway,” he said.
Mathealira Lerotholi said the project that has a budget of €123 million is set to serve over 60 percent of Basotho (280 000) with clean water in the selected zones.
“The purpose of this project covers a wide spectrum of goals. These include increasing availability of potable water Hlotse and Maputsoe (zone 2 and 3), Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, increasing access to improved water supply services, improving operational performance of Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) and rehabilitation of water distribution networks to mention but a few,” remarked Lerotholi.
He said all the villages and communities which the pipelineswill pass through will also benEfit from the project, both with the supply of clean water and jobs for those aged between 18 and 58.
Beyond the pipeline that will be supplying over 57 million litres of water to 280,000 people, the project is set to also renew andrenovate the Likhoele dam, a supply centre that was built in the 80s in Mafeteng. The dam is said to have been idling without purpose after it was clogged up with mud. Moleko made a promise that before the end of this year, a tender will be released for a contractor who will unclog it.
