…as PM Matekane commits to Moitšupeli-Mpatana road
…assesses progress at Moshoeshoe I International Airport
Moroke Sekoboto
PRIME Minister Sam Matekane has reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring that every household in Lesotho has access to electricity by 2030.
Mr Matekane made the pledge this week during a tour of Makhaleng, where he assessed the state of critical road infrastructure, before proceeding to Mazenod to inspect ongoing developments at Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
During the tour, the Prime Minister also announced plans to construct the Moitšupeli-Mpatana road, which he said had deteriorated over a long period.
“We are here to assess the road conditions. We have seen the work that needs to be done. The road conditions are poor as it has been damaged, not recently but a long time ago. Mr (Mootsi) Lehata came to us after jumping ship from Democratic Congress (DC) to Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) and discussed the issues of poor infrastructure in Makhaleng constituency, including this road,” Mr Matekane said.
Mr Lehata won the Makhaleng constituency under the DC banner in October 2022. He defected from the DC to join RFP in May 2025.
Mr Matekane said improving electricity access was equally important, describing electricity as a basic necessity for households, businesses and students.
“Apart from the road being constructed, there will be electrification soon. I made a promise that by 2030 every Mosotho will have access to electricity. We realised that in recent years electricity has become a basic need. Businesses need electricity to secure their properties, while students need electricity to study,” Mr Matekane said.
The Prime Minister directed the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, to immediately mobilise construction machinery from contractors in Makhaleng and, where necessary, neighbouring constituencies.
“You elected a government that listens; we have to get things started. Mr Moteane, source machinery from contractors from this constituency and, if they lack capacity, go to the surrounding constituencies and supplement the existing ones. We want to see services being delivered to the people as it is our reason to have joined politics, to serve the people. Mr Moteane, meet with contractors and ensure that the construction gets underway,” he said.
Mr Moteane said the Moitšupeli-Mpatana road formed part of a broader plan to improve connectivity between the lowlands around Korokoro, Makhaleng and Mohale’s Hoek, while also supporting tourism development in the highlands.
He said the road project would also be integrated with the planned Makhaleng Dam, which forms part of the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project being implemented under the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM).
According to Mr Moteane, feasibility studies for the projects had been delayed but had now been completed, paving the way for the government to coordinate the projects and commence physical works.
“When I assumed office, I found that there was a policy that aimed to enhance tourism and improve the road network from the lowlands in Korokoro to Makhaleng and connecting Mohale’s Hoek. We also found the overall cost and we needed to find the funding, but it is expensive at M150 million per kilometre.
“The road will pass near Malealea Lodge through Makhaleng River, where there will be construction of Makhaleng Dam. The Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project under the Orange-Senqu Commission (ORASECOM) and the ministry had not completed the feasibility studies. The feasibility studies are now completed and we are going to combine them and start the work,” Mr Moteane said.
Mr Moteane said the Prime Minister had pushed for the immediate construction of the Moitšupeli-Mpatana road rather than waiting for the completion of the larger regional water project.
He said Mr Matekane had reminded him that residents could not be expected to wait for major projects before receiving basic services and infrastructure.
Mr Lehata welcomed the government’s intervention, saying his constituency had historically suffered from poor infrastructure and inadequate service delivery.
He said previous administrations had left Makhaleng severely underdeveloped, making it difficult for local leaders to approach residents seeking re-election.
“Makhaleng is very poor in infrastructure, lacks service delivery and has always been neglected by previous governments. It is in this government that we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. As Makhaleng MPs and councillors, we lack self-esteem to go to the people to ask them for re-election because there are no developments in our constituency. Your presence here brings hope to the people and to me that I made the right decision when I defected from DC to RFP,” Mr Lehata said.
From Mpatana, Mr Matekane past through Moshoeshoe I airport to inspect the ongoing construction. He was assured by the contractor that works would be completed by March next year.
