ACCESS TO WATER AND GOOD HEALTH ESSENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT--TRC

The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) has singled out free access to clean water, sanitation and good health as the most essential commodities to ensuring sustainable development in the country. Speaking during a press conference to announce their position after the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held at the TRC boardroom on Thursday12 Septenber,2002 the TRC Community Worker Mr. Mabusetsa Lenka explained that privatisation of water could be detrimental, especially to the lives of the poor people.

He further mentioned that TRC has identified access to land as one of the essentials that need to be addressed, adding that sustainable development cannot happen without people's access to land. He mentioned that an open debate over the New Partnership for Africa's Development is also essential to enable inputs of the views of the people of Lesotho, saying that to date, most people especially those living in the rural areas are not informed about NEPAD and its implication to development in the country.
             

Talking about the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), which TRC monitors, another Community Worker for TRC Mr. M Seqhee said there are still many social and environmental outstanding issues with LHDA, even though the Mohale dam will start collecting water in October this year. He further indicated that it is therefore, important for the LHDA to review its compensation policy with all stakeholders concerned to make it a legal document which would help the affected communities to cope with the stress resulting from the tremors.
            

He concluded by appealing to government to be willing to demonstrate transparent good governance on major sustainable development projects to allow participation of every Mosotho, in the light to attaining the much desired sustainable development.
Meanwhile, TRC was able to send about fifteen delegates to the WSSD consisting of affected communities in Mohale and Katse, with the aim to share experiences with other peoples of the world displaced by large dams and to table their grievances before the world leaders.

12 September,2002