Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD ) has extended AED77m in concessionary loan towards the construction of the Metolong Dam in the land-locked kingdom of Lesotho in South Africa. Construction of the dam that provides 71,000 cubic metres of drinking water daily was recently completed by the government of Lesotho.
ADFD ‘s loan was used to finance construction work of the concrete dam and its outbuildings, as well as for pumping and purifying plants and distribution pipelines.
Built at a total cost of AED700m, the dam project aims to support Lesotho’s economy by enhancing the country’s water infrastructure, and augmenting existing drinking water sources in the capital Maseru, as well as in the arterial towns of Roma, Mazenod, Teyateyaneng and the surrounding villages. The dam is expected to meet the population’s water demands until 2025.
The project includes the construction of a dam, with the capacity of 53 million cubic metres on the Strait of Phuthiatsana River to store and distribute the river’s water. It also comprises tanks and a plant to purify and store water, four pumping plants for the four cities, 89 kms of distribution pipelines, and complete civil and electro-mechanical construction works, as well as technical and advisory services.
H.E. Muhammad Seif Al Suwaidi, MD at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development , said: “ADFD remains committed to financing new infrastructure development projects that are a priority for the government of Lesotho and other developing countries in Africa.”