The Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro on Friday launched a mobile network infrastructure project where 28 telephone transmitters will be built throughout the country.
Speaking during the launch ceremony held at Liphiring within the Taung constituency in Mohale’s Hoek, Dr Majoro applauded the Liphiring community that the launch was being held in their area, saying the telephone transmitter to be built will not only benefit Econet users but also Vodacom users.
He said the infrastructure will improve communication services, and help in the prevention of criminal activities that mostly affect Lesotho and South Africa as the village is along the borderline. He further said it will be easy for the public to report in time, crime occurrence, adding that the tower will also make learning easy as scholars will access internet services.
Dr Majoro noted that the services that used to be performed in town will now be easily accessed at the village level.
At the same event, the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mr. Tšoinyana Rapapa said 28 telephone transmitters will be built in phase one, adding that 24 transmitters will follow in phase two and that all the work is expected to be completed by March next year.
He urged for timely execution of the construction work for the benefit of members of the public.
Mr. Rapapa said the project entails the construction of the telephone transmitters amounting to M3,164,000.00 that will be built at Liphiring, Tlokotsing and Mekaling in the district where 4 563 people will be served.
He said the tower in Liphiring will among others serve communities of Majakaneng, Ha Raphokoana, Liphiring, Majoemasoeu, Ha Lekhooe, Ha Pitsi, Thella, Ha Mokhele and Ha Rathamae.
On behalf of Taung Principal Chief, Mrs. Malekhooa Moeketsi thanked the government for the mobile tower, saying communication was a challenge in the area and such will now be history.
She called on the public to safeguard the tower as it is for their benefit.
Mrs. Moeketsi further thanked the government for the maintenance of the Principal Chief’s office and provision of office furniture hence asking the Prime Minister to hand it to them since the maintenance work was done following his courtesy visit to the Principal Chief last year.
A Member of Parliament for Taung, Mr. Selemo Mangobe described the telephone transmitter as a dream come true to release the community from the captivity of being bound to communicate through network service from the neighbouring country.
He said the construction of the telephone transmitter is a great pleasure in that it will fulfil one mandate that the public gave him while representing them in Parliament. He showed that others include the provision of clean water supply, road construction and electricity supply.
A Community Councilor for Liphiring, Mr. Haward Moletsane said the communication tower is a relief to the public that could not easily communicate with others in the country as they had to use foreign network services and spent a lot of money.
He added that it was also difficult to report in time to the police any crime occurring along the border especially at night due to communication problems.
Meanwhile, the project launch left most community members delighted.
One, Mrs. Mamalebanye Ramolahloane in an interview, appreciated the government’s response to their long overdue request, saying though most of their needs have not been addressed, their life will never be the same.
Source: LENA 07/05/2022