Billy Ntaote
A SENIOR Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) official has commended Lesotho’s management of infrastructure constructed during the American aid facility’s first compact grant that ended in 2013.
MCC Managing Director for Operations in Africa, Jason Small, and Managing Director of Selection and Eligibility Christopher Maloney were in Lesotho this week for a three-day visit that ended on Tuesday.
In addition to assessing Lesotho’s eligibility for a second multi-million dollar compact grant, the duo also evaluated the maintenance of infrastructure constructed during the first compact grant.
The MCC is a bilateral American foreign aid agency established by the United States Congress in 2004, with countries expected to meet certain conditions such as good governance and respect for the rule of law to qualify.
In 2008, Lesotho was granted a five-year compact valued at US$362.5 million (over M3 billion) towards expanding water supply for household and industrial use, strengthening the country’s health care system and removing barriers to foreign and local private sector investment.
Lesotho was expecting its second compact last year, but the Board decided not to vote on the issue because of governance concerns.
In an exclusive interview with the Lesotho Times, Mr Small said he visited one of the 138 health centres built or renovated through MCC funding and was impressed by its state.
“I was quite impressed with the quality of the facility and its maintenance. I was also impressed by the number of patients who are treated there every day,” he said.
“In considering beneficiaries from the second compact, the MCC board takes into consideration the state of the projects that were undertaken in the first compact.”
“I can say from my viewpoint that there has been sustainability and it is an ongoing process. Such investments continuously need it,” Mr Small added.
