Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina has assured that there will be full accountability for the R53 billion allocated for the implementation of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
“We will account at the right time. When the project is completed, the books will be audited… We will be transparent to both countries, showing what has been done and how much has been spent. If contingency funds were used, we will account comprehensively,” Majodina said.
The Minister was speaking to media on Monday during the second day of an oversight visit to Lesotho to assess progress on LHWP Phase II.
As part of the oversight programme, Majodina visited the newly upgraded Katse Lodge, which now has 81 rooms, including single quarters and dormitories, as well as conference facilities. She also toured the Botanical Garden, campsite and caravan park, Tunnel Access Adit, and the Katse Dam.
While acknowledging delays in the project’s completion, Majodina said some challenges were unavoidable.
“Some of these challenges are common to construction projects anywhere in the world. Lesotho receives a lot of rain, and when rainfall is excessive, work has to stop. Employees are withdrawn from sites because there is nothing that can be done,” she said.
She noted that delays were experienced particularly on feeder roads and housing construction. “We cannot build when it is raining,” she added.
Despite some challenges, the Minister said government was satisfied with how the project is being managed.
South Africa ‘not stealing water’
Meanwhile, Majodina has dismissed claims that South Africa is stealing water from Lesotho, emphasising that South Africa pays royalties for the water it receives under the LHWP agreement.
Her comments come amid opposition from some quarters in Lesotho, who argue that the project benefits South Africa at the expense of the host country.
“We want to [assure] all Basotho that we are not stealing any water here. We are paying royalties on a monthly basis. But those royalites were not meant for a particular village, but for the country [as a whole] .
“They go to the national fiscus and get distributed in accordance with the plan of the government of Lesotho, and we don’t enter into that space. What we do is to meet our requirement of payment,” the Minister said.
Majodina said South Africa and Lesotho are close to finalising discussions on hydropower arrangements linked to the project.
“While we are paying royalties, the question is how Lesotho will pay for hydropower services on our side,” she said.
She confirmed that Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is expected to visit Lesotho soon, as the Bi-National Commission (BNC) has set a deadline for progress reports ahead of its next meeting.
“By now I am certain that we are going to give a more positive report to the BNC,” Majodina said. – SAnews.gov.za
