The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation welcomes the assurance given by the Minister of Water and Sanitation that roll-out of Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Projects will have as its central pillar the requirement to empower and increase participation by businesses from Lesotho, South Africa and other SADC countries.

While the Committee is mindful of the delays in rolling out Phase 2 of the project, its reservations are allayed by the fact that necessary work had to be done to ensure that the project brings about change and benefit people of the region. “We are pleased that the Phase 2 agreement recognises the need of economic development to the two countries and the region as a whole. The skills that will be derived from the roll-out of the project will be necessary for future development of the region,” said Mr Mlungisi Johnson, the Chairperson of the Committee.

In welcoming the assurance of local procurement of services, the Committee urged for the adherence to procurement principles of cost effectiveness, competitiveness, transparency, quality, preference and ethics as well as fair dealings as set out by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.

Furthermore, the Committee welcomes the assurance by the Minister that there is no truth to allegations through media reports that she had lied to the President. The Committee encourages adherence to governance principles as set out through the treaty.

The Committee further welcomes the announcement that the LHDA is in a good financial position, having received a positive audit opinion from an internationally recognised audit firm. The prudent spending of funds will ensure that a little goes a long way and that the project is delivered as close to projected costs as possible.

The welcomes the announcement of the commencement dates of the construction of advance infrastructure for the Polihali Dam. “This is a key milestone that will set the ball rolling in implementation of phase 2 of the project. While the Committee is cognisant of the flexibility required in rolling out infrastructure developments of such magnitude, it has urged the department to ensure completion of different phases within or as close as possible to targeted dates as this will negate cost escalation,” Mr Johnson emphasised.      

In performing its oversight function, the Committee has resolved to schedule a visit to Lesotho to assess the progress in implementation of the project. This will come after an exhaustive briefing on the implementation of Phase 1 of the project.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Mlungisi Johnson