The procurement process for Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is about to begin.

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority says it expects Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to be completed by mid-2023. The second phase of the major infrastructure project is expected to cost around R11.2 billion and will see the construction of Polihali Dam, a tunnel and several developments around it.

Mark Matchett, the Phase II executive manager, made the announcement on Monday (23 June) when the authority held a briefing session to update stakeholders on the progress of the project.

“We are about to embark on a procurement process. This will run for a fairly intensive six- to nine-month period and during this time, we hope to have procured most of the design contracts. Towards the middle to the end of next year, we hope to be in a position to start procuring contracts for the construction works,” he said.

Matchett said the dam and tunnel designs are expected to start during the first or second quarter of next year, while construction was expected to commence during the third or fourth quarter of next year.

Presenting the scope of the project, Matchett said components such as the environmental studies, mitigation plans, resettlements and compensations have already commenced, and are expected to be completed by the end of October or November.

2 500 workers are expected in the area at the height of the project. A township will be established and an existing lodge will be developed to meet the accommodation demand.

Tente Tente, the divisional manager of the Phase II project, said an anti-corruption policy is in place to ensure that no underhanded tactics are practiced throughout the tendering process. He also said that no monopolies will be tolerated and that companies need to give special consideration to partnering up with other companies that do not fall under their stables, as bids from the same entities will not be considered.

Matchett believes that the project should be completed by 2023, and said they could get to the minimum operating level by 2022 if there is sufficient rain.

 

(SAnews.gov.za)