Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Moeketsi Majoro had on Friday launched the construction of water supply project for Tsikoane community. The project will also cover Hlotse community and is said to cost over M120 million.
It is expected to be completed in six months. Majoro said the government had realized that the area has lacked clean water for quite some time now and that will soon be over.
“It is the government’s responsibility to make sure that every Mosotho has access to clean water and
Tsikoane community is one of the lucky areas to benefit from the project,” he said. The PM said the supply of clean water answers to the six Millennium Development
Goal (MDG) which speaks of supply of clean water to everyone. He said once the project is complete, the expectation is that over 18 000 people will benefit
and during the construction period, 50 Basotho will be employed in the project. Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) Project Manager Lehlohonolo Ncheke said Tsikoane and
Hlotse areas have struggled with shortage of water for the longest time hence the construction of water supply. Ncheke further said the project will ensure
that the intake tower from the river in Hlotse is improved for better supply. “The project is financially supported by the government of Lesotho,” he said.
Hlotse Urban Council Chairperson Ntšeke Mali-matle Molapo thanked the government of Lesotho for coming to their rescue in the two communities. Molapo added that
water is life and promised that they will work together to ensure that the project becomes successful. Litjootjela Community Council C08 Chairperson Makhajane Sekonyela said in 2018, there was a water supply project launched in
that area but it did not see the light of the day. He added that they still have many water sources in Tsikoane which can contribute to the supply of water.
“Litjootjela let us be hopeful that this one will become a success and at least there is a time frame which we can put a hopeful eye on. ” he said.
Sekonyela said if it is not complete by then, they will demand answers to why it is not complete within the said period. Also present at the launch, Tsikoane Member of Parliament Samonyane Ntsekele said
Tsikoane community had already lost hope considering the longest time they have lived without water in their villages. Ntsekele said today a ray of hope has
fallen on Tsikoane community. “I would also like to thank the Minister of Water who has taken over from me as the former Minister of Water for ensure that the
projects that were already introduced continue,” he said. The Minister of Water Hon. Nkaku Kabi said Lesotho is faced with climate change which has affected the wetlands and this means it is not only Tsikoane villages
that experience lack of water. “But because of the climate change and the way we approach our natural resources as people, this has caused our streams to
burn out,” he said. Kabi added that on March 22nd, it will be the celebration of international World Water Day to mark the importance of water in people’s everyday lives.
He said this is a day to celebrate the most important natural resource because without water, life is not easy. He pleaded Tsikoane community to protect the wetlands and pastures and advised that this can happen through the help of chiefs and councilors.
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