Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane, has clarified that the M10 million which is set aside for road rehabilitation and construction of roads across constituencies will not be transferred directly to constituency offices.
Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, Dr. Matlanyane said the clarification follows confusion among Members of Parliament regarding the allocation and distribution of the funds.
She explained that the funds will instead be channelled through implementing ministries which are, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police. These ministries will oversee project implementation within constituencies through community-based rehabilitation initiatives, commonly known as lifatofato.
Dr. Matlanyane further indicated that development efforts will extend beyond roads to include the construction of approximately 87 schools, as well as health facilities, sports grounds, and water and electricity supply projects.
“The money allocated to both ministries is estimated at over M1 billion and will cover all constituencies, although implementation will be guided by specific action plans,” she said, stressing that funds will not be directly disbursed to constituencies.
She apologised for the earlier confusion, attributing it to a sentence contained in paragraph 118 of the Hansard, which she has since withdrawn.
Meanwhile, debate on the motion on the Consolidated Capital Account (Development Estimates) for the 2026/2027 financial year is ongoing in the National Assembly. The motion was moved on Tuesday by the Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Ntoi Rapapa, on behalf of Dr. Matlanyane.
