MASERU – The Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Mohlomi Moleko welcomed water delegates attending an occasion celebrating the bestowing of the Presidential award on King Letsie III on Friday.
The event, where Global Partnership (GWP) will be giving the award later on is graced by the presence of King Letsie III and his Cabinet, representative of President Duma Boko as Chairperson of the GWP Steering Committee and representative of Patron King Mswati III.
It is also graced by the presence of representative of Southern African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and including CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO).
In his welcoming remarks, the Minister Moleko highlighted the importance of the event coinciding with the 39th anniversary of the signing of the LHWP in 1986, marking years of resilience in sustainable water governance.
Talking about the King’s award to be presented later, he said he (Minister Moleko) accepted the GWP Presidential Global Water Changemakers award, after he received it on behalf of the King at the African Union-AIP Water Investment Summit held in Cape Town from 13 to 15 August, recognising the King’s high-level political commitment to water security.
He said the award represents a model of peace, sustainability and how water resources as a catalyst of unity can help in achieving SDG’s.
“This award motivates us as locals in inspiring growing generation to promote water as a cornerstone to sustainable development,” he stressed.
The Principal Chief of Leribe, Joel Mots’oene said the College of Chiefs appointed him on behalf of them to congratulate the King in receiving the award.
“May this award bring solidarity among the nation as well as pave way towards growing Lesotho economically and otherwise.”
On behalf of Orange – Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), Mr. Comfort Molosiwa said the King’s award highlights that shared water is a shared prosperity, it also signals how best harnessed water can promote energy, economic development as well as stability within countries.
Meanwhile, Representative of the affected communities (LHWP project) Mr. Moea Ramokoatsi said today marks a huge achievement on the life of King and the people of Lesotho.
He mentioned successes of the project that include access to roads and bridges connecting urban and rural communities easily while also easing movement.
Talking about challenges, he explained that delay for communities to access their compensations is a major hindrance that should be corrected.
This event commenced with a Word of Prayer led by Christin Council of Lesotho (CCL), with readings having been extracted from Genesis 2:10-15 emphasising the need to preserve nature.
Ends/AM/ml
