… LSP construction under fire
A growing controversy has erupted surrounding the M7 million allocated for the partial refurbishment of the country’s main airport, Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
The project, which is intended to improve infrastructure and modernise the airport to meet international standards, has come under intense scrutiny amid claims of mismanagement and lack of transparency.
A leading construction company in Lesotho, LSP Construction, now finds itself facing scrutiny over the expenditure of M7 million on the modernisation of the airport.
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by MP Montoeli Masoetsa, recently visited the construction site to investigate concerns about the lack of visible progress despite the significant funding.
Following a closed-door meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and LSP Construction, the PAC decided to inspect the site due to inconsistencies in the reported progress.
The committee aimed to determine how the already-approved M7 million was utilised before authorising the release of an additional M3 million.
Masoetsa expressed concern that the Principal Secretary (PS) had already issued a certificate for the M7 million and was about to approve another for M3 million. He demanded that LSP Construction demonstrate the work completed to justify the need for further funding.
Masoetsa pointed out that parliament initially approved M50 million for the airport project, but subsequent assessments revealed a significantly higher cost of approximately M184 million. He questioned what would be the source of the additional funding.
In an interview, Masoetsa revealed that their on-site investigation found no evidence of work being performed despite the expenditure of M7 million.
He explained that parliamentarians understand that the only work undertaken was the mobilisation of construction equipment to the site, which, in their view, should be a cost borne by the contractor.
Masoetsa emphasised the need for close oversight of LSP to ensure project completion within the allotted timeframe.
He drew a concerning parallel between this situation and the delayed construction of the Palace, which, despite ongoing parliamentary funding, remains incomplete after nearly 15 years.
Masoetsa attributed this delay to the same construction company’s apparent reluctance to proceed with the project.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committees Chairperson, Makhalanyane Mokhothu, stressed the need for parliamentary oversight of all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Works department of BDS, in all government projects.
He advocated for the establishment of a monitoring team to conduct bi-weekly progress checks, ensuring the airport modernisation project, which has been delayed since 2018, is treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Mokhothu lamented the missed economic opportunities resulting from these prolonged delays.
Turning to the Palace project, Mokhothu announced that the Committees would investigate the matter upon receiving the Auditor-General’s report.
He expressed deep disappointment over the 15-year delay in constructing the Palace for the sole King of Lesotho, warning of potential damage and escalating costs.
He noted that the initial budget of M136 million has blown up to over M345 million.
Mokhothu concluded by emphasising that the funds wasted on these stalled projects could have been utilised to support service providers and create employment opportunities for Basotho.
Letsema Letela, a supervisor on the airport project, explained that the design specifications call for a two-story expansion of the existing structure. He assured parliamentarians that the original design accounted for this expansion, addressing concerns about structural stability.
On the expenditure of M7 million, Letela outlined completed tasks, including an environmental impact study, site preparation, equipment mobilisation, partial scrubbing of roof waterproofing, and preparatory reinforcement work.
Meanwhile, Motheba Letsoela, Director of Public Works BDS, informed Parliament that LSP Construction was responsible for the project’s design, supervision, and construction. This arrangement, she explained, arose from the Ministry’s lack of independent supervision capacity.
Letsoela further detailed the tender process that led to LSP’s selection.
Of three bidders, one was disqualified for a conflict of interest involving a ministry official, while another submitted tender documents in both English and Chinese, despite the requirement for English-only submissions. This left LSP as the sole eligible bidder.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
