LHDA rolls out grain compensation drive

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU –  The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) last week rolled out the Grain Compensation Distribution drive in Ha Mohale, building on a similar exercise in ’Muela a week earlier.

The exercise underlines LHDA’s commitment to the communities impacted by its extensive infrastructure projects but some pressure groups still express reservation on issues of compensation.

This exercise to distribute grain comes amid concerns raised by the Policy Environmental Justice & Water Resources Advocacy (PEWA), an association representing communities impacted by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phases 1 and 2.

PEWA has, for a long time questioned the adequacy of the LHDA Compensation Policy of 1997, arguing that it has left many families in a state of impoverishment.

According to PEWA President Mohato Morokole, the compensation provided has not been sufficient to sustain the livelihoods of the displaced communities, who were once able to provide for their families through farming. He said before their relocation, these communities lived in harmony, with abundant fields to cultivate.

However, the areas to which they have been relocated lack such agricultural resources, and the annual compensation payments are too meagre to support their needs. In response, the LHDA Public Relations Manager Mpho Brown highlighted the authority’s commitment to fulfilling its compensation obligations.

He noted that in 2023, 99 percent of the compensation payments due under Phase I, totalling over M30 million, were disbursed. Brown acknowledged that there are still outstanding payments from Phase I, but he gave assurance that LHDA is actively addressing these delays through established community engagement and complaints management systems.

In an interview with Public Eye, LHDA’s Senior Public Relations Officer, Malakeng Hloma, explained that the timing of the grain compensation drive was strategically aligned with the harvesting season in Lesotho. This alignment, he showed, is intended to support the communities during this critical period. Hloma further said he would personally be present in Katse from Friday to Sunday to oversee the distribution process.

The LHDA’s efforts reached several villages, including Ha Phaloane, Ha Ratau, Ha Seoehlane, Ha Makhale, and Ha Ntsi, on Saturday. By Sunday, the drive extended into the remote highlands of Ha Mohale, ensuring that even the most isolated villages, such as Ha Phomolo, Ha Lebiletsa, Ha Likomisi, and Ha Nyakane, received their due compensation.

In a statement released on Monday this week, the LHDA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind. The statement showed that the compensation policy is not just about material support but also about recognising the challenges these communities face and ensuring timely compensation.

“While access to many remote areas is often difficult, the LHDA has put in place a well-coordinated logistics strategy that involves close collaboration with local leaders and the use of appropriate transportation methods to ensure that the compensation reaches the intended recipients without delay,” read the statement.

The statement further showed that delays in compensation can have a profound impact on the livelihoods of affected families, particularly in regions where agriculture is the primary source of income.

By aligning the Grain Compensation Distribution drive with the harvest period, the LHDA is attuned to the agricultural cycles that are vital to these communities.

The successful coverage of both the foothills and highlands of Ha Mohale demonstrates the LHDA’s determination to meet its obligations, fostering trust and strengthening its relationship with the people it serves.

As the Grain Compensation Distribution drive continues, the LHDA remains focused on its broader goal of improving the livelihoods of communities impacted by the LHWP, beyond just providing compensation.

The LHDA has pledged to continue monitoring the distribution process and engaging with communities to ensure that their needs are met and that the compensation provided truly supports their welfare.