Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) will boost the economy of Lesotho in many ways including opening up job opportunities and the improvement of infrastructure.

This is the view of Minister of Natural Resources Dr. 'Mamphono Khaketla after the signing of an agreement for a feasibility study of Phase II of the Project. South African Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mrs. Buyelwa Sonjica, signed on behalf of her country.

South Africa needs enough water not only for the Gauteng Province but also for Limpopo which is now being plagued by water borne diseases.

The current study will be able to help them avoid mistakes experienced during construction of Katse and Mohale dams, Dr. Khaketla said.

The South African Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry in her turn, said the Project demonstrates that Africa as a Continent has woken up, that countries are now engaging themselves in such huge projects as the LHWP for the benefit of their people.

The Project will assist both countries achieve their Millennium Development Goals as they will be able to fight hunger and poverty, as well as develop the countries socially and economically.

Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) social worker Mothusi Seqhee, also present at the signing, asked that the interests of the affected communities, their well being as well as the environment  be given priority during the implantation stages.

The signing ceremony was preceded by a meeting of Ministers responsible for water resources development in the Orange-Senqu River Basin in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and South Africa.
 
The two year feasibility study will be undertaken by Consult International in partnership with Senqu Engineering, Environment and Development Consultants

23 September 2005