Africa-Press – Lesotho. The progress in the implementation of the Mpiti to Sehlabathebe road is on track despite some challenges; this was revealed by the Minister of Development
Planning, Honourable Selibe Mochoboroane during the project site-visit at Qacha’s Nek on Monday. Honourable Mochoboroane indicated that the project is expected to be complete by 2022 and
19% of the work is done. The 91km road project is a loan of M1.7 billion from
the Exim Bank of China and also the support from the Government of Lesotho counterpart. “The project was delayed by some challenges despite the lockdown due to COVID-19, the sub contractors complain about the
salaries from the main contractor, while on the other hand the main contractor said the employees work in a slow pace yet complain about their payments, said
the Honourable Minister. Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister highlighted that the Government of Lesotho needs about M40 million to compensate about 45 households whose properties such as houses,
fields and pastures were affected. In his observation, the Director of Project Cycle Management (PCM) Mr Mothobi Letooane said the project is delayed by 8 months; however the effort is
satisfactory despite some challenges. He noted a need for both the Ministries of Development Planning and of Public Works to hold a meeting to discuss and
resolve the challenges. Meanwhile, Mr Keketso Taka revealed that the project started in January 2019 and is anticipated to be completed by 2022. He noted that project is behind by 5
months due to COVID-19. Mr Taka indicated that the contractor is working harmoniously with the community and showed that 45 households have to be compensated.
One of the villagers, Mr Taole Taole from Hiltop, Qacha’s Nek indicated that the construction of the road from Mpiti to Sehlabathebe will reduce the hardships
of transportation. To date Honourable Mochoboroane has visited the Government of Lesotho development projects in the districts of Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing, Maseru and Qacha’s Nek.
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