Polihali Phase II officially kicks off

CELINAH MATSIE

MASERU – The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority [LHDA] yesterday held a sod-turning event and advance infrastructure construction activities for the Polihali Phase II project held at Malingoaneng in the Maluti Mountains yesterday.

The ceremony was attended by Lesotho’s Minister of Water, Samonyane Ntsekele, South Africa’s Minister of Human, Settlement, Water and Sanitation minister Lindiwe Sesulu and other high ranking government officials representing both countries.

Besides increasing water exports to the perennially thirsty Gauteng industrial hub, the multi-billion Maloti project will increase the amount of hydro- electric power generated domestically as parts of steps towards securing an independent power supply to meet Lesotho’s domestic requirements.

The project is also set to drive socio-economic change in the region, creating job opportunities for approximately 3000 unskilled and semi-skilled Basotho during construction of the main works.

The Phase II agreement was signed in 2011 and ratified in 2013 and to date, 45 contracts are in force including eight for advance infrastructure construction contracts.