Water For Justice

BIDDERS TOUR METOLONG DAM PROJECT

At least seven companies bidding to carryout construction work at Metolong Dam estimated to cost M1,024 billion toured the site area along the Phuthiatsana River on Tuesday.

The tour was organised by the Metolong Programme Implementation Unit (MPIU) and seven bidders' representatives toured both the dam area as well as the quarry in the Machache area.

The seven international companies were Arcus Gibb (Pty) LTD trading as Gibb Africa from South Africa, Ninham Shand (Pty) ltd, Knight Piesold (Pty) ltd, Ingerrop South Africa (Pty) ltd, all from South Africa as well as French based campany Coyne-et-Bellier, BKS Group (Pty) ltd and Consulting Engineering Centre-SaJDI & Partners (CEC) based in Jordan.

These seven companies were among the 10 international ones, which had shown interest after MPIU had requested for proposals and three were eliminated.

Briefing the companies' representatives, the Metolong Dam Project Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Malcom Murray, said the construction work of the dam will commence in 2009 and expected to be completed by 2013.

He said, the Lesotho government has resolved to carryout the project to supply water to the lowlands area, mainly Maseru city and other towns like Mazenod, Roma, Morija and Teyateyaneng among others.

The move he said, follows the completion of Katse and Mohale dams, whose purpose was to transfer water to South Africa.

Mr. Murray said, the project is funded by the government and other companies like Kuwait fund, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

The Metolong Dam Project Chief Executive Officer, said the Metolong dam will be smaller than Katse and Mohale dam as its height will be 73 metres and 210 length.

However, he said due to limited funds, the MPIU will only consider supplying water to the nearby villages with a population of over 2400 while others will be consierd at the later stage.

After touring the dam site, the companies expressed interests and desire to be considered for the design of the project.

Some even claimed that their companies have experience of designing projects like Katse and Mohale dams.

Proposals are expected to be sumitted by January 13, 2009. Bids will be opened publicly immediately thereafter in the presence of bidders or their representatives who chose to attend.

Following this, the proposals will be evaluated and a consultant selected in accordance with the Procurement guidelines for loans of the Kuwait Fund for BADEA.

While the dam design is expected to commence in March 2009, the actual construction of the Metolong dam is expected to start at the end of 2009.

The Metolong dam project is part of the Metolong dam and Water Supply Programme (MDWSP), which is being imlemented by the government of Lesotho to increase access to water and to improve the reliability of water supply to the lowland areas of the country.

The MDWSP comprises the construction of the Metolong dam and associated infrastructure comprising a water treatment works, a conveyancing system and advanced infrastructure.

While other construction works include delivery of treated water for domestic and industrial use to Maseru and the neighbouring towns of Teyateyaneng, Roma, Mazenod and Morija.