The Consul General of the Republic of Ireland to Lesotho, Mr Bill Nolan ends his four year term of office at the end of July representing his country in Lesotho since 2001.

Recommendation after recommendation has followed the announcement, including that of the Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Rehabilitation and of Law and Constitutional Affairs, Advocate Refiloe Masemene who said Mr Nolan's tenure had seen immense contribution by Ireland in the development of Lesotho.

Ireland had not only contributed towards the development of rural Lesotho through such projects as the building of footbridges but also in the education sector, Mr Masemene said.

Mr Nolan fully qualifies to be Mosotho in the way he has determinedly and whole heartedly worked with Basotho, Mr Masemene said.

In his turn, Mr Nolan said it has been a great privilege to have lived and worked among Basotho for the past four years, rewards such as which are one of the few pluses of diplomatic life nowadays.

Basotho have had some difficult times, facing many challenges but more than this, are trying to cope with a mortal threat to the health and well being of the nation. They are however in the right path to reform, renewal and recovery.

Lesotho is more united today, and there is a greater sense of common purpose than at any time since independence, as well as a strong underlying belief that what needs to be done must be done by Basotho themselves and not the outsiders, be they donors or anybody else, Mr Nolan said.

He urged Basotho to continue to build on the tremendous advantages, achievements and assets that they have, urging them to work together, drawing on all their energy and imagination.

08 July 2005