Abu Dhabi: UAE’s leading national economic development entity, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), has entered into a funding agreement with Government of Lesotho to provide $20 million towards the development of a water supply system in the Butha-Buthe District in Lesotho.
ADFD Director General Mr. Mohammed Saif Al-Suwaidi and Mr. Thabo Sophonea, Lesotho’s Minister of Finance signed the deal .
The proposed water supply system at the Butha-Buthe District in Lesotho is expected to supply 9,000 cubic meters of clean water per day, enough to meet the water needs of the Butha-Buthe population and its industrial sector through 2045.
The project which is line with the 3rd and 6th UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supports Lesotho’s strategic infrastructure development objectives and will help reduce cases of water-borne illness and disease due to water pollution by 50 percent while contributing to job creation and economic development in the district.
This project contributes to the long-term water security of Lesotho while representing the Fund’s commitment to support the development of sustainable clean water sources and infrastructure in developing countries in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will provide a reliable clean water resource to meet multiple needs of the Butha-Buthe District’s residents, including improving water quality, safety and efficiency while supporting economic development of Lesotho.
Mohammed Saif Al-Suwaidi said.
While expressing to the UAE and ADFD for their ongoing support of priority development projects in Lesotho, Mr. Sophonea commended the pioneering role played by the Fund in assisting developing countries to achieve their development goals, support economic growth and help revitalize societies.
The Lesotho Finance Minister further stated that “The loan agreement will help us to mitigate the water supply challenges that Lesotho faces and enable us to modernize the water supply system in Butha-Buthe, facilitate continuous access to clean water to meet the needs of the population in the district and enhance our capabilities to better manage our water resources.”
BUTHA-BUTHE WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
The project will include the construction of a water barrier and outlet on the Hololo River with a capacity of 76,000 cubic meters per day as well as a water treatment and purification plant with a capacity of 45,000 cubic meters per day.
The project will also include installation of a network of water transmission and distribution lines with a total length of 350 KM, 25 pumping stations and 42 water tanks to deliver clean water to residents of the district.
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