business

June 6, 2019

STAFF REPORTER

2 min read

World Bank funds water supply project

World Bank funds water supply project

The Government of Lesotho and the World Bank yesterday signed a loan agreement worth over M1 Billion for the development of Phase II of the Lesotho Water Development Project (LWDP).

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The Government of Lesotho and the World Bank yesterday signed a loan agreement worth over M1 Billion for the development of Phase II of the Lesotho Water Development Project (LWDP). Speaking at the event held in Maseru, the Minister of Water, Samonyane Ntsekele said the fund will help implement the project whose aim is to improve the living standards, address water security challenges and improve reliable water supply for domestic, institutional and industrial use in Maputsoe and Hlotse.

Ntsekele said the surrounding settlements particularly those located along the bulk water transmission pipeline such as Ha Setene, Sebothoane, Ha Lesiamo, Khanyane, Tsikoane, St. Monica's and Mpharane will also benefit from the project. He said the project will construct a raw water intake on the Hlotse River, construct a water treatment plant with the capacity of 25 mega litres per day, construct a water pipeline to transfer raw water to the treatment plant, construct a water transmission pipeline for treated water to both Hlotse and Maputsoe, construct a pumping station and a pipeline for pumping water into the water reservoirs in both places.

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Ntsekele said the project will also design and construct the reticulation network across Maputsoe and Hlotse to provide adequate water for domestic and industrial use while also ensuring that the textile industries are adequately supplied with clean and reliable water in the two towns. Speaking at the same event, World Bank Country Representative Janet Entwistle said she was hopeful the project will support the enhancement of Water and Sewage Company (WASCO)'s performance by incentivising the delivery of measurable operational improvements facilitated by change management support.
Ms Entwistle said activities under this component are expected to result in the positive outcomes of job creation, improved beneficiary incomes, better nutritional outcomes and increased economic opportunities for women and youth. For his part, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Lesotho Dr. Christian Manahl said he hoped through implementing the project, bulk water supply will be improved. At least 115 000 inhabitants and a great portion of the local industrial sector are expected to benefit from the said development.

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