Press Statement
Maseru
13 September, 2004
The Local Media take a tour of Phase 1B of the LHWP
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) invited local media institutions to a two- day media tour to the Phase 1B area of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) from 01-02 September 2004.
The purpose of the tour was to brief the media practitioners on progress in the implementation of the Environmental Action Plan (EAP) in Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and facilitate for journalists to get first hand information from the communities affected by the LHWP.
Phase 1B involved extensive resettlement of people from their original areas to new locations in a) the mountain highlands, b) the foothills and c) urban areas. The move was to give way for the construction of Mohale dam and associated infrastructure. Construction activities have since come to conclusion and on 16 March this year, His Majesty, King Letsie III and His Excellency, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, inaugurated the completion of all engineering works under Phases 1A and 1B.
Media personnel at Makhalanyane village
On-going activities in Phase 1B are about progress in the implementation of EAP. They entail construction of feeder roads, at varying degrees, around the circumference of Mohale reservoir, provision of water and sanitation (WATSAN) infrastructure including solid waste and water waste, upgrading of schools to accommodate increased intake in the number of pupils from the resettling communities, resettlement houses of improved standard over original houses, development programmes to address changed livelihoods from mostly agrarian to a mixture of commercial and agricultural activities and rehabilitation programmes of the land to protect the environment from heavy engineering activities.
The tour started at Ha Tsolo in the Maseru urban area, where journalists inspected the resettlement houses and interviewed the resettlees. They (resettlees) have invested their compensation money primarily in the construction of rental houses in the area. The numerous textile factories in the neighborhood have created a ready and profitable market for their choice of business. Additional to their packages include fencing for home security, vegetable gardens, individual household water stand-pipes, electricity connection and a ventilated improved pit latrines.
The next stop was Ha Makhalanyane resettlement area, 20 km on the
outskirts of Maseru along the Maseru-Roma road. The LHDA has facilitated
for a smooth integration of both the host and resettlees. An elected committee has
already been established to determine best use of communal compensation
funds coming into the area through the resettlement programme for
communal benefit. Already provision of water to the community has been
completed.
The Makhalanyane communal Compensation Committee with LHDA management
The tour proceeded to Masapong Primary School along the mountain road, where the LHDA has built 7 additional classrooms, one staff room and a book store, 26 VIP cubicles for pupils and staff, kitchen and kitchen strong room, and has provided infrastructure for potable water in line with existing schools infrastructure policy under Community infrastructure development in the Environmental Action Plan.
Old class rooms at Masapong Primary School New class rooms at Masapong Primary constructed by LHDA being inspected by media
Perhaps the most interesting part of the journey was traveling to Mohale via Ha Rapokolane, on the feeder roads whose construction is nearing completion. The roads will provide communities with access along the Mohale reservoir shoreline. The journalists witnessed progress on rehabilitation works through re-grassing along the roads, WATSAN project being undertaken in-house by LHDA. The media also saw the original housing structures in the villages of Ha Seotsa, Ha Phoofolo, Ha Nthakhane and Ha Mohlabane and could compare with the improved standard of housing under the resettlement programme.
On the final leg of the tour on the 2nd September, the media were taken on a tour of Mohale dam where they saw water being released from the dam downstream as part of the requirements of Instream Flow Requirements (IFRs). Water released on that day amounted to 0.64 cubic metres per second. However, this figures varies in accordance with the LHWP IFR Policy in place.
The journalists also visited the potato seed store near Mohale camp. The LHDA has provided warehouse facilities for the communities interested in production of the virus-free potato seed. The potato seed has gained popularity amongst highlands farmers and foothills. The lowland farmers provide a ready market and most people from the affected communities have engaged in potato seed farming.
The last lap was a visit to a view point overlooking Thaba-Chitja, the proposed national high altitude training centre perched on an island created from filling Mohale reservoir on the Jorodane river arm of the reservoir.
View of Thaba-Chitja, the proposed high altitude training centre Feeder road along Ha Nyakane Village. Also showing VIP latrines.
For more information please contact the LHDA Public Relations Manager at Tel: 22311280.