The Lesotho Lowlands Bulk Water Supply Scheme (LLBWSS) held a workshop in Mohale’s Hoek this week to sensitize chiefs and councilors on its compensation policy scheme.
The first phase of the scheme was in 2010 under the Metolong Dam and Water Supply project. The second phase which involves construction of several dams, started in 2019 and is anticipated to finish in 2024.
LLBWSS environmental specialist Nthame Monare said the dams will be at different villages in Mohale’s Hoek and indicated that lay-out of the bulk water supply scheme entails abstraction of raw water from identified rivers, water treatment plants, pipelines, pumping stations and bulk reservoirs.
Explaining the compensation policy, Monare said people who will be affected by the projects will be compensated according to what is affected.
She indicated that they are going to make the process as fair as possible so that people do not feel cheated by the project.
Ha Maphohloane village councilor Teboho Mohale said they hope the projects will go smoothly, but also advised the scheme not to simply give people compensation money, but to also give teach them how they can put the money to good use.
He said it will not be right for people to have large amounts of money after being compensated and not change their lives. He also said the scheme should look into finding ways to work with chiefs when it comes to land, to make sure the right people are compensated.
