Forum discusses state of water
BOKANG MOSHOESHOE
MASERU – The Ministry of Natural Resources through the department of Water Affairs, convened its annual water sector coordination meeting to assess progress, address challenges and strategies for the coming year.
The two-day event held in Maseru from March 26 to 27 outlined several key achievements in 2024.
The meeting brought together government representatives, development partners, water service providers and civil society organizations to discuss the state of Lesotho’s water sector.
Key achievements in 2024 include expansion of water supply systems projects such as the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase I and II in the rural and urban areas, as it has made significant strides in improving access to clean water with Metolong Dam project continuing to play a critical role in supplying water to Maseru and surrounding districts.
This event follows World Water Day which is observed annually on March 22 as to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources.
In previous years Lesotho’s celebration included educational campaigns in water conservation and sanitation, visits to hydrometric stations to highlight water monitoring efforts and policy discussions on water resources management while this year initiatives like Lesotho Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project set to end in March this year after more than a decade of implementation have significantly improved access to clean water and sanitation in rural communities.
The project has delivered remarkable results including the construction of 190 kilometres of pipeline, water storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 3.48 million litres and 166 public water points serving approximately 28 266 people across eight zones in Maseru and Berea districts.
On behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Rethabile Lebeta, stated that the goal is to achieve success with sustainable development goals as she believed that all stakeholders in the water sector should work together to achieve their mandate and take Lesotho forward.
‘‘This event help us to come together and plan our goals so as to achieve great success on water. Water is an essential need in daily life,’’ Lebeta explained.
Phase I project manager in Maseru and Berea districts, Thabiso Tšosane, explained that the project has four components and it is scheduled for completion end of March.
‘‘Our target was to supply about 65 000 households but we only managed to supply about 28 thousand as well as built toilets and reservoirs,’’ declared Tšosane.
Lesotho Lowlands Water Phase II project manager, Leshoboro Nnena, explained that areas of Hlotse, Maputsoe, Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek will be supplied with water starting next year after the completion of the project in November.
