Parliamentarians, who went on a tour of areas affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) last week, have set strategies by which the affected people's concerns could be addressed. At a meeting held at the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), the Parliamentarians agreed that they  should meet the Minister of Natural Resources to discuss the concerns raised by the affected people during the tour.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Sekoala Toloane M.P, of the Basutholand Congress Party (BCP), said it is procedural to contact the Minister responsible for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, before taking the matter to the Prime-Minister despite what he considered as the urgency in which the matter should be dealt with. Mr. Toloane said the other task is to brief other parliamentarians from other political parties about what they have learnt from the tour and encouraging them to participate in efforts to ensure that the people affected by the project are compensated as promised by LHWP.

One of the participants at the meeting, who is also a member of parliament representing the Lesotho Workers Party (L.W.P), Mr. Macaefa Billy  suggested that  the Transformation Resource Centre should ensure mobilization of funds so that if need arises for legal action, funds should be available for a Legal Advisor. He emphasized the need to involve the Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (LCN) in the matter, saying LCN should be committed in the struggle for the rights of the members of the society..

Speaking at the same occasion Mr. Lekhetho Rakuoane M.P, from the Popular Front for Democracy (P.F.D) suggested that research be carried out on how to establish a joint lobby group by Parliamentarians and the Transformation Resource Centre, which could deal with LHWP matters that affect the communities affected by the project. The meeting was held following the parliamentarians' tour to the LHWP affected areas, which was organized by TRC.

14 November,2002