Inauguration of Phase 1 of Lesotho Highlands Water Project
Maseru - 4 March, 2004
His Majesty King Letsie III and President Thabo Mbeki will officiate at a celebration marking the completion of Phase 1 of the huge multi phased Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) at a ceremony to be held at Mohale on Tuesday 16th March 2004.
The event will be at the recently completed Mohale Dam, thus ending implementation of Phase 1 of the LHWP. We shall also be celebrating the LHWP as a Project of the Century voted by South African Institution of Civil Engineering in November 2003.
Phase 1B comprises Mohale Dam, a 145m High concrete faced rockfill structure on the Senqunyane River, Mohale Tunnel, a 32km structure linking Mohale Dam to Katse Dam and Matsoku Weir and Tunnel, a 6km structure diverting flood water from the Matsoku River into Katse Resevoir.
Mohale Dam is the highest rockfill dam on the African Continent. (Katse Dam is the highest concrete arch dam on the Continent). Construction of Mohale Dam started in 1998 and was completed in 2003. It consists of 7,8 million m3 rock that was placed and compacted before addition of concrete face. Mohale features a flexible outlet structure that ensures high quality water for downstream releases to ensure sustainability of aquatic life.
At the peak of construction, Phase IB created more that 8000 jobs for local and regional workers.
Invited guests from the international funding agencies, project implementing agencies, Government officials and other dignitaries including the local communities will witness official opening of Mohale Tunnel by His Majesty and the President.
More than 1000 guests are expected to attend.
Celebrations start at 10:00 HRS on 16 March at the Mohale Dam site.
Participants at the celebrations will be entertained by local community groups, horse men, drum majorettes from Lesotho and South Africa, local schools, local and South African artists.
END of Message ……… 4 March 2004
For more information please contact LHDA Public Relations at 4th floor Lesotho Bank Tower; Telephone No. 22 311 280 ext 2175; Cell Number, 58 857 202