Phase II Compensation Policy
The Phase II Compensation Policy, which was developed by the LHDA, was drawn up drawing on lessons learned from Phase I of the project, while also affording time and opportunities to all relevant stakeholders to participate in its development. Lesotho’s water minister, Kimetso Mathaba said this policy has been approved by the governments of Lesotho and South Africa. He said he hopes the implementation of the policy will enable participants to share an understanding of the document. In turn, the minister hopes this will provide clarity on compensation issues which might have to be discussed or explained to communities that have been affected by the implementation of the LHWP.At the workshop, Mathaba said the Constitution of Lesotho and the Treaty that established the LHWP require that all losses suffered by communities, as a result of the implementation of the project, be compensated.
LHDA chief executive, Refiloe Tlali, also delivered a presentation at the workshop. She affirmed the LHDA’s commitment to the restoration and improvement of livelihoods of the communities who will be affected by the project. She said the LHDA has already engaged a consultant to assist with the identification of the livelihood restoration and diversification options that will be planned with affected households and communities from an early stage in the Phase II programme. This aims to promote sustainability. The presentations were followed by an interactive question and answer session which provided an avenue for further engagement around compensation and advanced infrastructure works. The workshop was attended by the principal chiefs of Mokhotlong and Malingoaneng, ministers who are also parliamentarians from Mokhotlong constituencies, and representatives from the offices of the District Administration and District Councils from Mokhotlong, Leribe and Thaba-Tseka.
