UPGRADING OF ROADS TO BENEFIT BOTH COUNTRIES
	The upgrading of the road from Himeville in South Africa to Sani Pass in Lesotho holds tremendous benefits for the two countries, the Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr Popane Lebesa has said. Speaking at a sod-turning ceremony for the Sani-Pass Upgrade and Border Relocation projects, Mr Lebesa said some of the benefits that the peoples of the two countries shall reap include, reduced travelling time, major savings on fuel consumption, lower vehicle operating costs, increased bi-lateral and transit trade and tourism opportunities. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Lebesa has been reported as having said that the border post relocation project bears ample testimony to government’s urgent call for environmental protection. Furthermore, the Minister said the launching of the two projects does not only represent enduring symbols of the deepening cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa but also fulfills the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) signed by the two countries, on road construction and transportation. He pointed out that Lesotho was already conducting a feasibility study on the development of bitumen road from Sani Top through Mokhotlong to Thaba Tseka. The sod turning ceremony followed the signing of a Declaration of Intent to promote Technical Cooperation in the areas of Road, Air and Railway Transportation by the Ministers responsible for transport for Lesotho and South Africa in July 2005. The two countries are also actively engaged in promoting the development of tourism in their highlands through the Maluti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project.
	Source: LENA