The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety, Mr. Lesao Lehohla says the Lesotho Government has found it necessary to refurbish Lesotho's ports of entry in order to facilitate effective tasks of border agencies.

“We are face-lifting the front porch of our house to make it welcoming and conducive for receiving our guests with dignity by refurbishing and overhauling both Maseru and Maputsoe Bridges,” he said.

He was speaking at the sod turning of the Maseru Bridge Refurbishment Project on Thursday.

He noted that M15 million in the current year and M35 million for the next financial year have been set aside for the refurbishment of the borders.

The chairman of Heads of Border Agencies and Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr. Thabo Letjamela said the project is intended to cover eleven border posts of Lesotho. Therefore appealed to the Honourable Ministers to consider favourably when border agencies approach them as they are faced with the challenge of securing enough manpower for the project.

He said that the current infrastructure in the borders is a big problem as it is inadequate for effective border control enforcement. He added that agencies are not aligned in any logical sequence based on the requirements of each section.

Refurbishment project is aimed at improving free movement of incoming and outgoing traffic, facilitating requirements of all agencies thus meeting the international standards of the border posts. The economy of Lesotho is expected to develop enormously at the end of this project.

Members of the business community and the public that use the border posts especially the Maseru bridge, are urged to be patient and cautious as the construction continues as they will surely enjoy the benefits of the envisaged developments for years to come.

Source: LENA 21/02/2008