Maseru, Oct. 13 — The plenary session on green growth at the ongoing Metsi Ke Bophelo Water and Hydrogen in a digital future conference and expo has called for either green growth for environmental sustainability or no growth at all.
Panelists drawn from different agencies such as Mr. Deepak Bhaskaran, UNICEF Representative and British High Commissioner to Lesotho Mr. Harry McDonald among others highlighted the need for inclusivity to attain this development.
According to Mr. Bhaskaran, inclusivity must ensure that no Mosotho is left behind, with the private sector having to spearhead the process of risk taking so as to address social issues aligned to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
Similarly, Mr. McDonald emphasised the need for the private sector to help the government in terms of starting to take the risk, adding green growth is all about embracing concepts in economic theory and policy making used to describe paths of economic growth that are environmentally sustainable.
“Together with the government and all stakeholders, issues of policy making should not be left behind,” he stressed.
Another session related to water, hydrogen, technology and regional development, where Chief Executive Officers from differenties entities shared their insights on unlocking Lesotho’s potential in this regard.
Mr. Khotso Masheane, Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) Chief Executive Officer mentioned that through collective wisdom, hydrogen in Lesotho can become a reality as it is part of the global economy. “The water resources have potential in producing fuel, thus enhancing economic growth and sustainable development,” he said.
On the contrary, Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tente Tente reiterated that the idea of water hydrogen future should be looked into in line with project life cycle, follow planning, organising, leading and execution processes among others.
“Let us not rush to execution before indepth feasibility studies are conducted so that the project can be successful,” said Mr. Tente.
Debates and discussions are continuing with other topics touching on energy, wind and solar.
