The European Union (EU) ambassador to Lesotho, Hans Duynhouwer, says the EU and Lesotho’s other development partners are committed to ensuring that the Basotho have access to clean and safe water.
Speaking at a one-day National Dialogue on Safe Water forum held in the capital, Maseru on Wednesday to address some of the problems related to access to water in Lesotho, Ambassador Duynhouwer said ; “Although six out of 10 people do not have access to clean water, many initiatives are in place to ensure that water is available.”
He cited numerous projects such as the Metolong Water Scheme that will supply water for domestic and industrial use to a number of towns that include Maseru, Roma, Mazenod, Morija and Teyateyaneng by the year 2013, where more than 100,000 people will access to clean water.
In his turn, the Water Commissioner in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Emmanuel Lesoma said his Ministry was tasked with the responsibility of providing sufficient water supply to the people of Lesotho.
He however pointed out that the problem of increasing coverage of water is a challenge, adding that there is a need to raise funds for operational and maintenance of the already existing water sources.
“We are working towards increasing water coverage to 63.3 percent by the end of this year, 66 percent by next year and 70.5 percent by 2012,” he added.
Access to clean water is enshrined in Lesotho’s National Water and Sanitation Policy, which points out that the national goal, is to provide 30 liters of clean water per person per day, and to ensure that the traveling distance required to collect clean water does not exceed 150 meters.
Source African Press Agency
African News from NetNewsPublisher.com
Related articles by Zemanta
- Lesotho Commemorates World Refugees Day in Maseru (netnewspublisher.com)
- Nigerians Offer Free Winter Classes to Lesotho College of Education Students (netnewspublisher.com)
- Lesotho Prime Minister Joins World Food Programme ‘walk to End Hunger’ (netnewspublisher.com)
