Further Phases
Volume 1,
Issue 1 July
2, 2004
Further Phases
Volume 1,
Issue 1 July
2, 2004
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
1.
Preparations for Phase 2 Feasibility Study
2.
Speech made by the Minister of Natural Resources,
Honourable Monyane Moleleki at Lesotho Sun
3.
Summary of presentation made by LHWC GOL Chief
Delegate at Lesotho Sun
Lesotho is in the process of
forming a group that will be involved in the feasibility studies for
implementation of Phase 2.
The feasibility study
will be conducted bi-nationally with 50/50 input and cost sharing between
Lesotho and South Africa.
Preliminary meetings of those interested in forming and
participating in the Lesotho Group have been held at
·
Lesotho Sun Convention Centre – 8th
April 2004
·
Maseru Sun Convention Centre – 16th
April 2004
·
Victoria Hotel Conference Centre – 13th
May 2004
The Project Managers were selected to make initial
arrangements, including the assessment of CVs.
The
names of the Managers are:
I.
Mr. I. Morienyane
II.
Mr. N. Mashulugu
III. Mr.
M. Lepele
Representatives
of Consults from Lesotho,
Basotho Professionals,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Morning!
It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you
to the Lesotho Highlands Phase II discussions. From the government of Lesotho
standpoint, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is of strategic importance in
ensuring poverty alleviation in Lesotho. As a result the fact that our
government and the government of the Republic of South Africa have finally
agreed to go ahead with the full feasibility studies epitomises the two
governments’ resolve to better the lives of their respective peoples.
The Republic of South Africa requires an assured
water supply system for the growth of its industries as well as to have water
available to its residential and farm use. Without such an assured water supply
system, the industrial growth of the Republic of South Africa would certainly
be stifled. The Republic of South Africa has considered other options of
augmenting the Vaal River system, for instance, a full feasibility study has
already been tabled using the Thukela.
The Thukela scheme would entail some dams, tunnels
and pumping systems.
In my opinion, Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands
Water Project would optimise the current Phase I infrastructure. Consequently
it must be the cheapest option for the Republic of South Africa. The
consultants and professionals who will represent the Lesotho Group on the
feasibility studies must be very careful and ensure that the options proposed
will maintain Lesotho’s competitive advantage over any alternative looked at by
the government of South Africa.
To this end the Lesotho Group must bear in mind the
overwhelming responsibility lying on their shoulders, of representing not only
themselves and their mother companies, but also the whole nation. Any
incidences of inflated costs, mismanagement, bribery and corruption, poor
workmanship and low standards will not be tolerated by our delegation to the
Lesotho Highlands Water Commission. You have noted that the time schedules are
very tight as a result all those involved in the study must work hard to meet
the deadlines and milestones set by the Lesotho Delegation.
The study must review the hydropower potential of
Lesotho such that Lesotho can be one of the major exporters of energy working
with the Southern African Power Pool. The critical issue with power stations is
that they must be constructed cost effectively, and managed effectively such
that the government can then realise the full benefits from them.
Distinguished
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My Dear Countrymen and Women,
It is obvious that it is
not every one of you in here that will be part of the study team. The team to
represent Lesotho must be made up of the best professionals. Lesotho has noted
that whilst our professionals may have limitations on dam, tunnel and
hydropower design, it is our intention that they must meaningfully contribute in
all the designs such that they can occupy appropriate positions during the
detailed design and construction later.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of my ministry,
my own behalf and that of the Government of Lesotho, I thank you for the
tremendous interest you have all shown and for making time to attend this
presentation. But foremost, I wish you the best of luck such that the Lesotho
Delegation to the Commission can help set up a team to represent Lesotho which
will make us all proud.
Feasibility Studies to
Augment Phase 1.
Ø
Ø
Feasibility studies to augment Gauteng using Tukela
are far advanced.
Ø
Lesotho and RSA governments agreed on February 23rd,
2004 to proceed with feasibility studies of the further phases of Lesotho
Highlands.
Studies are to commence in August and are to include:
Ø
Civil engineering works.
Ø
Dams, tunnels and
hydropower.
Ø
Pump stations.
Ø
Socio-economic impacts
analysis.
Ø
Environmental impacts
including instream flow releases.
Ø
Economic analysis.
Ø
Legal frameworks I.e.
treaties, protocols
Reconnaissance, hydrological etc.
Ø
These studies are to be
undertaken by a consortium of Lesotho and RSA consultants.
Ø
Both countries equally
share study costs.
Ø
The Lesotho Highlands Water
Commission on behalf of the two governments supervises the study.
Ø
The Lesotho Delegation of
the Commission will select the Lesotho Group into the consortium.
Issues to be considered when coming up with Lesotho group of
consultants are:
Ø
Consultants to outline
their field of expertise.
Ø
Consultants to outline
experience record and size and value of work done over last 10 years in field
of expertise.
Consultants to submit curriculum vitae of professional Basotho staff they intend using in the event the consultant is chosen.
Ø
Submissions from
professional staff not employed by consultants.
Ø
Such Basotho professionals must outline their field
of expertise.
Ø
They must submit curriculum vitae detailing their
work experiences and positions held over the past 10 years.
Ø
They must submit letters of recommendation from
their employers.
Expertise and experience of professionals to be adequate and relevant.
Ø
The Lesotho group should be
in place by end of July.