Let me start by paying my respects to
His Majesty the King,
The Right Honourable Prime Minister,
Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ambassadors and Heads of International Organisations,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of my delegation and the entire family of OFID, I would like to once again thank the Kingdom of Lesotho, or the Kingdom in the Sky, as I have learned it is also referred to as, for the kind invitation extended to OFID. I sincerely commend the efforts of the Government for the excellent organisation of our visit, including giving us the opportunity to be part of this inauguration ceremony.
It is indeed a real pleasure for me and my colleagues to be here in this beautiful, mountainous country and with reputedly one of the most hospitable people in Africa.
This occasion is opportune to express our commitment to the Kingdom of Lesotho and to support the efforts that the Government is making to meet the increasing water needs of the rapidly growing population, as well as industrial demand. Close to 50% of our cooperation has been in the water sector. We at OFID believe that living conditions cannot be improved without access to safe and reliable water. Or to quote the words of my good friend, H.E. Dr. Thahane: “Water is Life”.
The project we are inaugurating today was the second loan we extended to help the Government of Lesotho harness its abundant water resources. Two more have followed and a fifth one is in the pipeline.
We have followed the implementation of the Maseru Water Supply Project and are pleased to see that its development objectives are being met with great success. This is largely due to the excellent work of WASCO, which has a reputation as being one of the best water utilities in southern Africa. Under this project we are proud to have contributed to build 300 kilometres of water distribution network, increase the pumping facilities of the Maseru Water Treatment Plant and reinforce storage reservoirs. Previously underserved peri-urban of Maseru are the beneficiaries of this project, who are now connected to the water supply network.
Yesterday, we signed a loan agreement for the Five Towns Water Supply Project, which, when completed will make a substantial contribution to improve the living conditions of population living in these important towns, some of which have restricted access to drinking water. We are pleased that WASCO is again responsible for implementing the project so we are confident that it will also be another success story.
Later today, I will be visiting the Metolong Water Supply Project. OFID alongside other sister institutions, namely the Saudi Fund, the Abu Dhabi Fund, the Kuwait Fund and BADEA, together with the Government of Lesotho, is financing the construction of a dam and the related pumping station to boost water availability in Maseru and surrounding areas. OFID has been very supportive of the Metolong Project and has hosted two financiers meetings at its headquarters. The first one in 2007, prior to the approval of our loan and, more recently, a second one in July 2011.
Distinguished guests,
Let me conclude my speech by congratulating all partners, including ourselves, for having successfully completed this important project, in particular the project beneficiaries. We are pleased to have helped in improving their quality of life.
Thank you.