2004 LHWP Stakeholder Conference
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, LHDA, convened a
stakeholder conference for communities affected by the various activities of the
LHWP. The conference took place at Maseru Sun Cabanas on 22 October, 2004. Lessons learned from previous conferences are that issues of
compensation issuance, resettlement and development programmes aimed for the
communities have always been prominent. The LHDA therefore, organised to convene
only with the communities to give them more time to present their views.
The LHDA has held similar conferences since 1998 with
multi-stakeholders of the Highlands Water Project to report on activities of the
Project, to receive feedback on LHDA's performance in the implementation of
various LHWP programmes as well as to jointly craft the way forward.
Progress Report by the LHDA Chief Executive
Mr. Liphapang Potloane, the LHDA Chief Executive,
presented progress in respect of the attention awarded to issues submitted
to the Ombudsman from February last year. The issues tabled before the Ombudsman
ranged from household queries where paintwork inside the houses was not
finished, cooking stoves that had not been properly fixed, hairline cracks on the
walls caused by settling process, plumbing works that needed attention, geysers
that were not properly fitted. Issues concerning community included outstanding/delayed cash compensation.
LHDA Chief Executive, Mr. L. Potloane presenting a report
to Stakeholders
On the schools community infrastructure, additional
classrooms were built for Ino, Metolong, Machache, Masapong, Ratau and
Metsoarong in the highlands at record time of June-December for nearly 20 new
classrooms, 6 new office blocks and bookstores and VIP cubicles for teachers and
students. In the highlands, Ts'iu, Koporale Sekolopata work was completed within 5
months.
The Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) programme which is about
provision of VIP toilets and water supplies was speeded up in Phase 1B. A year
later most villages in the accessible upstream areas had either received the
facilities or were in the process of facilities becoming readily available.
Response from the Communities
The communities in response, acknowledged that indeed
commendable progress was in view but remarked that the few outstanding
issues had the potential to tarnish the good work done by the LHDA. They
submitted that there were still limitations to quickness of responses to queries
and follow-up on issues was not timely. Feedback also remained a
daunting challenge on the part of LHDA.
Participants at the LHDA Stakeholders conference
A way forward was agreed to continue with community
liaison structures to ensure effective follow-up on issues, sustainability and effective and timeous communications of events and activities in
the LHWP for improved relationships and delivery.
Having satisfied themselves with impressive developments in
respect of performance, the communities awarded the LHDA 87% over 69% in the
previous year.
Closing Remarks by the LHDA Board Chairman
In closing the conference, Mrs 'Makholu Matete speaking
on behalf of the LHDA Board Chairman, thanked the LHDA and the Communities for a
good meeting where there was free information exchange and everyone's
participation was invaluable. She remarked that the importance of the relations
between LHDA and its stakeholders were vital to smooth delivery of the
Project and it was in the interest of all to ensure only harmonious
relations prevailed.
The acting Board Chairperson urged the LHDA to ensure that
outstanding issues were completed on time and to the satisfaction of the
reciepients. Referring to the communities, Mrs. Matete requested that the
liaison structures should review conflict cases thoroughly before they can be
forwarded to the LHDA to ensure that only legitimate cases were submitted for
action. She advised the two parties to use the office of the Ombudsman as the
very last resort in their effort to resolve misunderstandings.
About sixty community representatives attended. Members of
the Press were also invited.