The Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) has selected Mott MacDonald Ltd. of the United Kingdom to update a feasibility study of Metolong Dam, a Lesotho Lowlands Water Supply project, on the Phuthitsana River near Metolong, Lesotho.
MCC, an international development agency created by the United States, announced it intends to award a sole source contract to Mott MacDonald for architect-engineering services. The contractor is to update and expand upon a feasibility study Mott MacDonald conducted of Metolong Dam in 2003.
MCC and the government of Lesotho signed a US$1.4 million agreement in 2005 to finance updating of the Metolong Dam study as well as policy reforms associated with improving the country’s investment climate. After the 2003 study, it was estimated the water supply project would cost about US$154 million. However, inflation and monetary exchange rate fluctuations now put the project at an estimated US$192 million.
The project would supply domestic and industrial water to six lowland districts of Lesotho.
