Civil Engineering December 2022 | Vol 30 No 11

30 December 2022 Civil Engineering T he Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has marked another significant milestone in the implementa- tion of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) with the start of procurement for the design and con- struction supervision of the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme. This follows the completion of further feasibility studies into the hydropower component of Phase II, which recommended con- ventional hydropower as the more feasible option to meet Lesotho’s energy needs. Three potential sites were identified: two on the Senqu River and the third at Oxbow on the Malibamats’o River. In November 2021, the government of Lesotho confirmed the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme and gave the go-ahead for the hydropower engineering, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the Resettlement Action Planning (RAP) studies. The scope of the hydropower engineering includes a 100 m high dam, two tunnels, high-pressure steel penstock (pipeline), 80 MW power station, 132 kV transmission line, all associated infrastructure such as roads and accommodation, bulk power and telecommunications infrastructure, and enviro-social components. Broadly, the enviro-social components will include studies on public health, cultural heritage, terrestrial ecology and water quality elements, resettlement, and livelihoods restoration elements to mitigate the impact of the Oxbow Scheme on the environment and communities in the project area. LHDA’s Chief Executive, Tente Tente, states, “The Oxbow Hydropower Scheme is the third major engineering component of Phase II. LHDA is confident that it will attract the interest of local, regional and international consultancies with the experi- ence and expertise to deliver engineering projects of this nature. Given its scope, it will be a significant boost to the engineering and construction sector and the economy of the region.” Ntsoli Maiketso, LHDA’s Divisional Manager Phase II, adds, “The Oxbow Hydropower Scheme increases security of power for Lesotho and will reduce the country’s dependence on electricity imports. The power generated at Oxbow adds to the additional 40% of electricity that will be generated at ‘Muela as a result of the increased flow of water from Polihali.” Water transfer to South Africa will commence in 2028 with the completion of the Polihali Dam and Polihali Transfer Tunnel and the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme will be commissioned in 2029, one year later. Interested firms have until 13 March 2023 to submit their bids. Specific information on the procurement is available at https://www.lhda.org.ls/tenderbulletin/tenderInformation. aspx?ContractNumber=3024 . The procurement for the associated ESIA and RAP is taking place concurrently, added Tente. “Interested bidders are advised to check the Phase II Tender Bulletin on the LHDA’s website for the Specific Procurement Notices.”  S ika has acquired a majority stake in Index Construction Systems and Products. Index is a leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing systems near Verona, Italy. In acquiring Index, Sika has expanded its bitumen product range and boosted its position both in the Italian regions and abroad with over 100 distributors including South Africa. Sika has always challenged the status quo in the construction industry, and implementing this acquisition is another way of looking for advanced solutions for constructing a better future. Sika South Africa’s Managing Director, Paul Adams, expressed excitement at the upcoming acquisition, saying that the company is “extremely excited to welcome the Index range into our roofing and waterproofing business in South Africa as of 1 January 2023. Index has been a strong brand in the South African market for over 20 years and comes with a high research and development compe- tence. Sika acquired Index in 2018 and we felt the time was right for it to now form part of our existing business in South Africa.” Index is known for its superior range of quality bitumen membrane solutions and brings with it internationally-recognised expertise in bitumen technologies, which greatly assists Sika with expanding into markets in Southern Europe and Africa. Their superior durability together with cost-effective benefits and their guaranteed technical support mean that bitumen membranes remain a significant component of waterproofing solutions both lo- cally and abroad and, with the Index bitumen membranes Sika is now able to offer, will help build trust by delivering more. In combining both companies’ products, Sika South Africa will become a comprehensive, full-range supplier of cutting-edge technologies in the roofing and waterproofing market, and by gaining access to Index’s broad sales network.  LHWP Phase II hydropower component underway Sika South Africa acquires Index Construction An Index bituminous membrane