The first construction tender for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was advertised recently indicating that construction on the project is set to begin within months.

The tender is the first of the approximately 20 advance infrastructure construction tenders that will be advertised between now and mid-2019, according to the current master programme.

The tender focuses on the construction of the Polihali north-east access road which is one of the critical advance infrastructure components.

According to Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) the majority the wok on the Polihali north-east access road must be completed prior to the construction of the main Phase II works: the Polihali dam and transfer tunnel.

“Phase II comprises a wide range of small and large contracts. It offers contractors work continuity for a number of years and the opportunity to gain valuable experience on a large infrastructure project,” comments Tente Tente, Divisional Manager of Phase II at the LHDA.

“It’s taken years of planning and preparation to get to this point, but in the first quarter of 2018, the construction vehicles will move on to site marking the start of Phase II’s six-year construction period and the eagerly anticipated employment opportunities that the project brings,” he adds.

Investing in the local community

While the cost of the hydropower component is yet to be established, the capital investment into the water transfer component of Phase II estimated to be R23 billion at completion in 2025, is a significantly large portion of the total projected capital investment into infrastructure in southern Africa in the next few years.

Phase II also promises a sizeable investment into the people of Lesotho, South Africa and the broader southern African region. The LDHA says skills and technology transfer are embedded in the procurement and contract documents and the attainment of specified targets will be carefully monitored and enforced.

At the height of the construction period, Phase II will provide employment for between 2 000 and 3 000 Basotho. It will bring an influx of people into the construction area, stimulate business and increase incomes for local communities.