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STATEMENT FROM THE EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
Government Moves Swiftly to Address Recent Sewer Pipe Break
Washington DC, Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, (August
14, 2009) The Government of Lesotho has noted, with
great concern, recent reports regarding water pollution
within the Lesotho garment industry at a mill and denim
manufacturing unit in Maseru. The textile and garment
industry in Lesotho plays a crucial role in reducing poverty
through economic development and job creation. The industry
supports the well-being of almost 200,000 Basotho people –
not only in terms of income, but also through health care
services provided at the factories for workers, many of whom
have HIV/AIDS.
Lesotho is a beneficiary of special trade initiatives,
thanks to its strong commitment to democratic and economic
progress, investment in public health and education, as well
as its keen interest in maintaining strong labor and
environmental standards. The Lesotho Government is
aggressively addressing recent environmental and public
health concerns, and is actively engaging key stakeholders
to resolve these issues.
The incident reported in the media involving water pollution
is an isolated and unfortunate situation. The Government of
Lesotho immediately established an ad hoc Cabinet
sub-committee of relevant Ministers and officials to manage
the incident urgently.
An investigation found that a break in a municipal sewer
pipe at one of the plants lead to discharge. This was an
operational problem, and an insolated incident. Both
problems have been corrected, and a monitoring system that
ensures the quality of water treatment has been implemented.
Further, the Government can confirm that the mill and denim
manufacturing units in Maseru have functioning wastewater
treatment plants.
The Government has developed short, medium and long term
programmes to address solid waste disposal sites.
Immediately, security was put in place to prevent
unauthorised entry into waste disposal facilities, and the
Government has implemented short term measures to dispose of
solid waste from the city. The Government has identified a
landfill site at Tšoeneng as a long term and sustainable
measure to ensure problems with discharge to not occur
again. A feasibility study for this project is complete, and
it is anticipated that the landfill site will be completed
within approximately four years time.
Additional actions the Government would like to pursue
include investigating the impacts these environmental issues
might have had on the surrounding communities. This process
will be a highly technical and costly exercise, and the
Government envisions external technical and financial
assistance from organizations and cooperating partners with
experience and resources for these programs.
The Government of Lesotho would like to appeal to its
partners and buyers of Lesotho products to continue sourcing
from Lesotho. The Government has a number of ongoing
projects aimed at improving public health and environmental
enforcement, and is committed to working with all
stakeholders to address these issues, and improve the
well-being of the people of Lesotho.
For more information please contact Embassy of the Kingdom
of Lesotho and direct any questions to:
His Excellency David Rantekoa, Ambassador of Lesotho to the
United States
2511 Massachusetts Drive, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
+1-202-797-5533
lesothoembassy@verizon.net
Media Contact:
Paul Fakes, The Whitaker Group
+1-202-293-1453
paul@thewhitakergroup.us
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