LHDA AND WORLD BANK HOLD EVALUATION WORKSHOPS ON THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT

The World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), is conducting an intensive evaluation of Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This learning exercise reflects on the implementation experience from Phase 1B, to capture lessons learned and identify areas to improve the quality and effectiveness of World Bank lending, and enhance the borrower’s ability to design, implement and operate projects of a similar nature.

As a part of this process, the World Bank Group and LHDA are holding two national workshops; one in Maseru today (February 8th) and the other in Johannesburg on February 13th. These workshops will bring together a range of stakeholders to discuss the lessons, experiences, costs and benefits of the project.

December 31, 2006 marked the closure of the World Bank part for the US$1,132 billion Phase 1B loan of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). Phase 1B saw the completion of the Transfer tunnel from Mohale to Katse in 2003, the Matsoku weir and the water transfer tunnel from Mohale to Katse also in 2003, as well as the introduction of important, on-going environmental and social programs. The Project has build on Phase 1A of the LHWP to consolidate the physical and managerial capacity needed for Lesotho to transform water, its principal natural resource into export revenues.

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