2006 - the Transformation Resource Centre

Water For Justice
Social and environmental
impact assessments
The programmme had a number of meetings with
the stakeholders pertaining to the proposed
water and environment projects such as the
Lesotho Lowlands Water Project (Metolong
Dam), upgrading of the Maqalika reservoir,
the establishment of a disposal area by the
Maseru City Council, The Thaba Bosiu Cultural
Village and the Sehlaba Thebe National Park.
In the meetings the programme emphasized
on the importance of conducting social and
environmental impact assessments before the
projects could start as a way of mitigating any
negative social and environmental impact on
the well being of the affected communities.
Public mobilization and awareness
raising were conducted at Metolong
community regarding the anticipated social
and environmental effects of the proposed
Metolong Water Project. Through the pubic
gatherings the communities were mobilized
to voice out their concerns and demand their
rights during the pre-feasibility, environmental
impact assessment and post construction
phases. Both the communities and the
authorities were made aware of the importance
of public participation in the project.
Livelihoods Activities
The programme in collaboration with
Snowing Mountain Engineering Company
(SMEC) which is a consultancy firm responsible
for facilitating, managing and coordinating
development projects within the communities
affected by the LHWP conducted a series
of public consultation at Ha Lejone, Katse,
Muela and Mohale villages. The aim of the
public consultations was to facilitate the
identification of the development needs and
priorities of the affected communities. Focus
was on the establishment of small livelihoods
projects so that the communities can be
able to take care of their households needs.
Financial assistance was sort from the
Australian Aid to help the programme to
intensify its efforts on livelihoods projects within
the communities who were resettled to make
way for the construction of the Mohale dam.
Australian Aid provided the programme with
M210, 000.00 to help the affected communities
to engage in organic farming which is affordable
and sustainable as the communities mostly
use locally available agricultural iputs. The
project started towards the end of the year
and in 2007 its impact in terms of bringing
the intended positive change on the lives of
the concerned communities would be seen.
However the 54 households from Ha Makotoko
and Nazereth villages were assisted with
garden tools (Digging forks, spades, rags and
watering cans) and vegetable seeds (tomatoes,
green beans, carrots, beetroot, spinach,
radish, butternut and onion) to start vegetable
gardens within their households. The same
households were also provided with intensive
and practical training on organic farming with
the assistance from an organization called
the Rural Self Help Development Association.
Survivors of Lesotho Dams
The programme continued to assist a community
based organization called Survivors of Lesotho
Dams (SoLD) to further pursue the Lesotho
Highlands Water Authority (LHWA) to address
the needs of the affected communities. A three
day workshop was conducted to provide the
members with leadership skills so that they
could be able to lead the affected communities
in terms of collecting their complaints and
bring them forward to the LHDA authorities.
Despite the drought vegetables were grown to support
livelihoods
Families can now rely on home-grown vegetables to
sustain themselves
Annual Report 2006