. . . as Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is finally launched today
By Tsitsi Matope
MASERU — Today is a big day for Lesotho and South Africa as the much-awaited Phase Two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) will finally be launched at Tlokoeng in Mokhotlong.
The launch will mark the commencement of proceedings leading to the construction of Polihali Dam expected to start in 2017.
The Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water project will increase water transfers to South Africa and generate electricity at the Kobong Pump Storage Scheme.
A high-level delegation led by President Jacob Zuma, is expected from South Africa while King Letsie III, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, Members of the two Houses of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, including Ministers responsible for Water Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, Refiloe Tlali are among the dignitaries expected to grace today’s launch.
The LHWP is a multi-billion maloti bi-national water resources development and management initiative established by a Treaty signed between Lesotho and South Africa in October 1986.
The first stage of the LHWP, among other developments, saw the construction of Katse and Mohale dams — the two-part phase that was completed in 2004.
However, proceedings culminating in today’s launch have been underway since 2010.
The Lesotho Times (LT) this week met with the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Refiloe Tlali (RT) to discuss developments that have been taking place and what should be expected after today’s launch.
LT: How different have been preparations leading to the launch of the second phase of the project compared with the first phase?
RT: The handling and management of the preparations have indeed been different compared to the first phase mainly because with the second phase came experience as to issues we needed to tackle urgently and those that needed special attention.
We have learnt a great deal from previous launches that include the 1998 Phase 1A inauguration of the water transfer officiated by His Majesty King Letsie III and the late South Africa President Nelson Mandela and the inauguration of the Muela Hydropower plant in 1999.
This was followed by yet another inauguration of Phase 1B officiated by His Majesty King Letsie III and the then South African President Thabo Mbeki.
What could be common about these important events is the detailed amount of planning and consultations required.
LT: What lessons did you learn from the first phase?
RT: The implementation of a project of this magnitude and scope brings with it many lessons. These range from aspects of engineering, environmental, social and financial.
We have learnt that while it is important to pay attention to engineering-related issues, it is also equally important to ensure that social issues are addressed as early as possible.
The social issues include the community consultation process and, indeed, ensuring the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders.
Of major importance is to ensure this process is as inclusive as possible.
However, one major lesson we incorporated this time around was thorough planning and consultations in order to ensure that the developmental programmes being implemented are sustainable in the long-term.
LT: Given that the LHDA programmes are not meant to replace the national programmes, how are you tackling that aspect this time around?
RT: Well, this time we have put in place exit strategies from the onset. We will ensure the institutions to which the programmes would eventually be handed over are fully involved from the initial stages.
LT: Why has the launch taken so long from 2010 when the declaration of intent was made?
RT: Yes, it may seem like we took so long before we could get where we are today, but it was all because of the work that is involved.
Remember, this is a project born out of a treaty signed by two countries, so you can imagine how time-consuming negotiations by two countries to strike a win-win situation can be. A great deal is involved, which includes the ratification of the Agreement by both countries while in each country, there are also other administrative processes that have to be taken care of.
You will recall that South Africa ratified the Agreement in November 2012 while Lesotho ratified it later in May 2013.
Now, if you again look back, you will remember that in August 2010 during President Jacob Zuma’s two-day state visit here, the two countries signed a Declaration of Intent, which showed commitment by both governments to proceed with the LHWP Phase II. The official signing of the Agreement to implement Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was in Maseru on August 11 2011. As a result, these were processes we could not avoid or fast-track.
LT: You have done a lot of community consultations, what particular areas were you keen on in this phase?
RT: Well, as part of engaging with the would-be-affected communities in Mokhotlong, this time we embarked on quite extensive consultations.
Most of the community consultations were centred on disseminating information to the communities that are going to be affected by the construction of Polihali Dam.
We wanted the communities to understand what this project is all about, how it’s going to be implemented and what the expected benefits of the project are, among other concerns.
We were also keen to make clear, issues around the envisaged compensation and resettlement processes while making this initiative a platform that brought various stakeholders and the sharing of ideas about the project.
LT: What was the outcome of these consultations?
RT: The major outcome we are seeing and which we are happy with, is increased awareness among local communities about how the project is going to be run.
LT: How is the relocation of the affected families going to work and have you already determined the magnitude of the loss of assets?
RT: We are expecting 17 villages to be affected by the dam project.
Eleven villages will be relocated and an estimated 534 households (2 547 people) will be affected by the project’s implementation.
The project will further affect assets in the form of arable land, business establishments, houses, government facilities, churches and schools belonging to or used to provide services to 16 560 people living in 72 villages in the Mokhotlong area.
Although during the Phase I communities had a choice of where they wanted to be relocated to, this time the bulk of the affected families are going to be relocated to some places which are closer to where they are currently staying.
What this means is that resettlements will be made within the Mokhotlong District to avoid some shortfalls experienced in Phase I of the Project.
LT: How are you going to ensure the sustainability of the livelihoods of those affected?
RT: The Project will, as in Phase I, implement programmes that address their livelihood-needs.
In the Environmental Action Plan, we have included programmes such as Rural Development, Options of Income Generating Projects and Public Health, among others.
These would see to it that all affected people can still lead improved lives.
LT: What should we expect to happen soon after the launch of the Project?
RT: The launch will be followed by the process of procurement logistics and engagement of consultants who will prepare tender-documents for various construction contracts.
The construction of advance-works, which include camps, power and telecommunication networks, is expected to start at the end of this year.
We expect the main works, which involve the construction of the dam and tunnel works, to start in 2017.
