Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- The Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project (LLWDP) Phase II has recently signed a consultancy agreement valued at M64 million for the design review and supervision consultancy of water projects in Zones 6 and 7 that will cover districts of Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek respectively.
The contract has been awarded to a joint venture led by India-based WAPCOS Limited and the local company, ABK Consulting.
This consultancy will provide technical services to review and finalise the aspects that have to be met prior to construction projects. It will undertake a design review and update the detailed designs for transmission system, reservoirs and pump stations for both zone 6 and 7, being Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek; it will undertake a detailed design of 100% coverage in all towns or communities with population exceeding 2 500 people for Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek and finally undertake contract administration and construction supervision for all contracts within zones 6 and 7.
This work is expected to be undertaken during a 25 month period.
Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek, known as some of the driest districts with Mafeteng reportedly turning into a desert, lack of access to potable water is a reality for some residents of these southern districts.
LLWDP II is charged with improving supply of potable water to the lowlands regions of Lesotho , covering urban, peri-urban and rural areas. It is expected to deliver critical infrastructure, including pump stations, intake structures, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and conveyance systems to provide safe drinking water to these districts.
The Project is implemented in zones, being zone 2 and 3 which covers Hlotse and Maputsoe respectively, and zone 6 and 7 for Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek.
Phase I of this LLWDP was completed in 2015 with the construction of Metolong Dam that supplies Maseru and its surrounds with water.
According to the LLWDP Phase II project, at least 280 000 people will have access to clean water at Hlotse, Maputsoe, Mohale’s Hoek and Mafeteng; another 20 400 individuals are expected to benefit from improved sanitation facilities in the afore-mentioned areas.
WAPCOS Limited Chief Engineer, Neha Rawat said the source is Makhaleng River.
She promised to undertake the project successfully and within the stipulated time frame.
The programme is supported by the European Union (EU) through its lending institution, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the World Bank and also the government of Lesotho.
Representing the EU, Mario Giuseppe Varrenti said water is at the heart of the EU-Lesotho partnership adding that they are committed to investing in sustainable infrastructure that connects people and be in harmony with the planet.
He said while Lesotho is known for abundance of water and also supplying to its neighbour South Africa, the reality on the ground contradicts the image on the ground as there are people who still face struggle to access clean and safe water. He said this project will address this anomaly.
He said signing signifies a milestone towards achieving the ambitious goal of ensuring access to potable water to the people. “Time is not in our sight, climate change unfortunately does not wait for us to get our act together, the year 2023 was already the warmest year, and 2024 looks like is on track to beat that record once again. Climate change brings more frequent extreme weather events including erratic rate for droughts, hailstorm all of which severely impact our water resources. Water therefore is not an endless resources especially as we face an ongoing climate crisis.”
The Minister of Natural Resources, Hon Mohlomi Moleko showed that Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek and the surrounding villages are already feeling the pinch from severe water shortages owing to low capacity of existing water treatment works that no longer met the current demands.
This move, the Minister highlighted that this project once completed is going to improve the livelihood of these two towns and the surrounding villages.
Moleko also stated that there will be a provision of sanitation facilities for public institutions and refurbishment of already existing wastewater treatment works in both Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek.