The procurement issues that had delayed Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) have now been resolved, with the project on course for completion in early 2025.
Following a review of the procurement process for the project to correct noninclusive elements, 16 contracts valued at R89.2-million had been completed, with five contracts valued at R528-million awarded and currently under way.
Another eight new contracts were currently in the procurement process, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday.
“All the delays that were experienced in the review of the procurement policy for the project have been resolved. All other issues that also have to do with the promotion of national interests and prioritisation of Basotho and South Africa have been resolved,” she assured journalists during a briefing.
The finalisation of the review of the procurement policy resulted in the contracts being progressed, with a 50:50 allocation in terms of the procurement of good and services.
“The procurement process came to serious attention, precisely because, throughout, we did not have an inclusive procurement policy that would seek to include beneficiation and priority consideration for both Basotho and South Africans, which had become nonnegotiable,” Mokonyane said.
Further, the process of installing a new board for the Lesotho Highlands Agency is also under way and is expected to be completed within the next six weeks.
“The project is now on course and all are in agreement with the work that has to be done. We are now implementing Phase 2 with the intention of increasing capacity to meet the demand of the future,” she concluded.