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PM LEADS SOD TURNING FOR GMWSP CONSTRUCTION IN MAQHAKA

The Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro says water is core to sustainable development and critical to socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and human survival itself.

This he said at the sod-turning for the Water supply project named Greater Maseru Water Supply Project (GMWSP) to be constructed at Maqhaka in the Berea district on Monday.

”Clean water is vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity of populations,” said Dr Majoro.

He said in times of drought, people cannot get enough to drink, wash or feed crops, and economic decline may occur, adding that inadequate sanitation can lead to deadly diarrhoea diseases, including cholera and typhoid fever and other water-borne illnesses.

He said the Government of Lesotho has secured a loan from Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) & OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) towards the cost of the GMWSP and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards payments under the contract for Construction Works for the GMWSP.

Addressing the construction company, Dr Majoro said when it comes to tasks that do not require any special skills, they should hire people from around the area of construction, saying it has become a norm for contractors to tag along their people from elsewhere.

He pleaded with the community to take care of the project as it is going to benefit them for life, saying every individual must take responsibility to make sure that the project survives.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Thabo Sophonea said the project was initiated in 2017 but could not see the light due to numerous financial constraints but they are pleased to have sourced funds to make it a success.

He noted that the project will cover numerous villages in Maqhaka and the Ministries of Finance and of Water together with WASCO will make sure that a contracted company delivers as promised.

Mr. Sphonea remarked that Basotho are entitled to their own resources and minerals without failure, saying it has always been disappointing to sell water to other countries while Basotho are dying of thirst.

He, therefore, urged Basotho to cooperate with WASCO and pay charges as will be guided by the company, noting that it is to make it easy for the equipment used to be maintained with time.

Also speaking, the Minister of Water, Mr. Kemiso Mosenene stressed that it is important for communities to have access to water, saying people depend on water for drinking, cooking, washing, carrying away wastes and other domestic needs.

He added that water supply systems must also meet requirements for public, commercial, and industrial activities, saying in all cases, water must fulfil both quality and quantity requirements.

He said his ministry is planning to supply water to all the public, saying within two weeks, the focus will be in Thaba-Bosiu, Ha Makhoathi, Mazenod and Ha ‘Masana in the Maseru south.

In Maseru central, they will take Ha Tsautse, Ha Tsíame, and Qoaling, and go further to the north to take Mabote, Tsénola, Ha Foso, Marabeng and Sehlabeng amongst others.

The Principal Chief of Ha Majara, Chieftainess Mamolapo Majara thanked the office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Water and Wasco for the construction of the water project in Maqhaka, saying lives will be changed.

She said poverty and lack of clean water go together, adding that a critical component to eliminating poverty is to have access to safe and clean water.

She said water supplies are nowadays improved and sustainable and that this significantly enhances a community’s economic growth and reduces poverty.

Speaking on behalf of Contractors, CCCE-CHICO SM Joint Venture, Mr. Mark Yien said their companies have reached milestones in construction and are proud to have accepted the offer, saying they are ready to deliver an outstanding project that Basotho will be proud of.

Source: LENA 25/07/2022

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