Remarks by the EU Ambassador H.E. Paola Amadei at the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase II – Ts’ehlanyane ADIT WORKS

I present my respects to His Majesty Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso,

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, 

The Honourable President of the Senate, Mamonaheng Mokitimi,

The Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Tlohang Sekhamane, 

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Mme Nthomeng Majara,

Ministers in His Majesty’s Cabinet, and in particular:

Honourable Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Mohlomi Moleko,

Principal Chiefs, and in particular;

         Principal Chief of Leribe, Hon, Joel Motsoene

Members of the National Assembly , and in particular the member of Parliament for area, Hon. Mope Khati

Their Excellences Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations and members of their teams and in particular;

        World Bank representative

Representatives of Government Ministries and other public institutions,

The teams of LHDA and LLWDP

Representatives of Civil Society Organisations,

Members of the Media,

All protocols observed

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Khotsong Bo-'Mé le Bo-Ntate, 

It is with great pleasure that I witness this historic moment that marks the very concrete start to the transfer of water from the highlands of Lesotho to the lowlands. 

Lesotho is often described as the “Water Tower of Southern Africa” and portrayed as a country rich in water, providing around one-third of the water in Gauteng and contributing 40% of the Senqu-Orange river basin.

At the same time, this image of abundance is in stark contrast with the lived reality of many people in Lesotho who have to walk long distances to access water, who experience malfunctioning water service delivery, or who are faced with polluted water sources^[1].

The partnership of the European Union with the Kingdom of Lesotho is centered around the idea of improved access to education, to health, to justice, to sustainable energy, to water and sanitation so that no one is left behind.  Just to make an example a week ago we celebrated with the Hon Ministers Lephema and Lesaoana and with UNICEF in the launching of the children’s digital registration programme in Qhoasing in the Ketane Valley  a community where water access has also been prioritized.  In addition, construction of WASH infrastructure is currently underway 

Today is testament to the long standing and unbroken partnership between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the European Union which spans almost 50 years. At the centre of this partnership Metsi has been the foundation. 

This day marks a significant milestone in increasing water access – an endeavour that started 30 years ago, in September 1985, when the European Union supported the identification of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The EU-Lesotho partnership in the water sector has produced significant results with concrete benefits to the people of Lesotho: 

• The construction of the Muela hydro-power plant, which to date provides significant revenue generation and meets around half of Lesotho’s electricity needs – this was part of the first phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
• The rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plants in Maseru, providing improved sanitation coverage for over 100,000 people
• The construction of water supply networks for Maputsoe, Teyateyaneng, and Roma.
• The Metolong Dam providing clean water for over 400,000 people.

 Honourable Minister, bo – ‘me’ le bo ntate, one year ago, on the 22^nd May, we launched Metsi a Lesotho – a programme providing further support to the water sector – and another step representing EU commitment to our unbroken partnership with Lesotho of nearly 50 years. By the end of May the first installations will be inaugurated by the Hon. Minister - in the course of the year in the  districts of Thaba Tseka, Maseru and Mohale’s Hoek 10 schools, 39 rural communities as well as 2 health centres will be provided with sustainable water and sanitation infrastructures. 

Today we gather under the banner of the Lowlands Water Development Programme - Phase II which in 2027, is expected to provide safe drinking water for 280,000 people in Hlotse, Maputsoe, Mohale’s Hoek, and Mafeteng. 

The construction of this adit is aligned with Global Gateway - the European strategy that aims to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, climate, energy, and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education, and research systems across the world.  Once completed, the adit will ensure that in times of drought, water security is maintained in the communities surrounding Hlotse as well as areas in the Maputsoe industrial area.

Water is not an endless resource, even less so as we battle with the ongoing climate crisis. This is true globally, and it is true here in – Southern Africa – a region which is bound to become more water-scarce as a result of climate change.

Climate action is therefore crucial at global, regional, and local levels. In Lesotho, this means ensuring water resources are managed sustainably for future generations and that we work together to preserve the quality of both water and land.

Honourable Minister, as we jointly continue to invest in infrastructurefor water management and access, we count on your leadership that this bulk infrastructure is safeguarded and that water delivery services will improve through the adoption of important legislation, such as the Bulk Water Authority Bill and the Water Services Bill. 

In closing, I would like to reiterate that Team Europe support to this project is based on the conviction that land and water conservation is crucial to sustain health, food, energy systems, livelihoods, jobs, and skills. Preserving the environment, human dignity and prosperity are not contradictory objectives, but one and the same.

Allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Lesotho and the World Bank for a continued fruitful partnership on this project. May our joint efforts continue to bring improvements to the lives of the people of Lesotho.

Thank you. Khotso. Pula. Nala

[1] 26 percent of Basotho nationally lack access to safe water access, this is worse for rural areas as only 57 percent of people have access to basic water service