OPEC funds to boost water supply

The OPEC Fund for International Development is to provide Lesotho with a US $4 million loan to help finance the expansion of the water distribution network in the capital, Maseru. Lesotho's urban population has surged in recent years, particularly in Maseru, primarily due to an enormous increase in the number of people migrating from rural areas to seek jobs in the garment industry. The situation has put a substantial strain on the city's water and sanitation services, an OPEC statement said. At present only around 50 percent of Maseru's residents have an adequate supply of drinking water, while others must resort to purchasing water from vendors at over-inflated prices, or wait in long queues at public water points. With demand for water currently exceeding supply, the OPEC loan will be used to install 150 km of pipeline, build two new reservoirs and two pumping stations, and upgrade existing capacity. The project, to be implemented over four-and-a-half years, will cost a total of US $11.25 million.