Lesotho Highlands Water Project Scoops Engineering Award
PRESS STATEMENT
Johannesburg - 27 November 2003
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), which is celebrating its centenary, announced the winning of the “Project of the Century”award at a gala dinner held at Theatre on the track in Midrand near Johannesburg on Thursday 27 November 2003.
The successful first phase of the bi-national Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) that delivers water from the highlands of Lesotho to the Vaal River system and generates hydropower for Lesotho was the unanimous choice of the nine divisions of SAICE.
In accepting the award on behalf of Lesotho the Minister of Natural Resources Mr. Monyane Moleleki congratulated everyone who participated in the success of the Project. He paid tribute to the pioneers of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project such as Ninham Shaud and Theo von Rebbrock. Mr Moleleki mentioned that the choice of LHWP as the winner meant a lot for Lesotho and the Project as a good project for the benefit of both countries and a classic example of regional integration. South African Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Honourable Mr Ronnie Kasrils said that it was a prime example of NEPAD ideal of African co-operation.
The LHWP was cited for the award for its immense impact on the betterment of the lives of South Africans and Basotho, the benefits it brought to the economies of both countries, the manner in which the environmental impacts were addressed and the effective and efficient overall management of the Project.
Phase 1A was inaugurated in January 1998 while the ‘Muela Hydropower was inaugurated in January 1999. Phase IB is virtually complete and the Mohale Tunnel linking Mohale Reservoir to Katse Dam, will transfer water at the beginning of 2004, to gradually increase the volume of water delivered to South Africa from 20 to 26 cubic metres per second.
END - 27 November 2003
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