Water and Sanitation on Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II

The LHWP Phase II is steeped in positive possibilities for the future

Part of the briefing session on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II revolved around raising awareness on the scope of Phase II, progress to date, and construction contracts. Phase II entails primarily the delivery of water to South Africa whilst delivering hydro-electric power generation for the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The main structures will be the building of the Polihali Dam and the tunnel that would join Polihali to the Katse Dam now in operation. Married to this process is the need to engage proactively with the affected communities, being part of the lessons learnt from Phase I. The extent of the impact on the communities needs to be clearly spelt out.

The communities need to have buy-in and as such allow for the disturbances to their livelihoods can be understood. In the final analysis, this will impact on the kind of resettlement to be experienced, reinstating the kind of services expected, and thus creating the necessary harmony in execution.

The indicative programme of all construction timelines was also shared; with the ultimate water delivery date of 2025 was well articulated. The value of the contracts are envisaged to vary between R1 million and R1 billion, ensuring opportunities arise for all size contractors.

All advertising for the tenders once available will be on all media and will also be on the LHDA website. The contractors were also assured that funding for work done on the Project will not be compromised; where the Lesotho Government is responsible to raise funding for the hydro power generation, whilst the responsibility for funding towards the actual delivery of water rests with the government of South Africa, as directed to the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA).

Some of the ideals for the briefing include the need to maximize procurement opportunities, minimize the utilization of imported skills, goods and labour. Part of the strategy is also to maximize the participation of Lesotho and RSA contractors, especially black-owned entities.

The LHDA Procurement Policy also limits the number and cumulative value of contracts that can be awarded to a single contractor. There will be a minimum threshold specified for participation of Lesotho National (LN) and RSA black-owned (BO) companies.

For more information contact:
Sputnik Ratau                                       
Cell: 0828742942

More on

Share this page

Similar categories to explore