The Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Coordination Unit has led the briefing meetings on the status of work of the ReNOKA programme with the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources and the House of Senate.
The meetings were held separately in Maseru on the 28th February and the 14th March. The ICM Coordinator Makomoreng Fanana said it was important for the Honourable members to be informed about the work of ReNOKA, explaining that these are the leaders in the communities where ReNOKA is rehabilitating land and water resources.
The members showed interest in working with ReNOKA and keenness to know more on the implementation of the programme.
Hon. Mootsi Lehata of the Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources applauded ReNOKA for bringing the committee up to speed on the work that is being carried out on the ground. He futher suggested a field visit the sites where rehabilitation measures are being carried out in order understand land degradation issues that the communities are faced with.
He said, “We have now established this relationship which I am positive that it will yield fruitful results for Basotho as the programme is aimed at empowering them through sustainable land and water management practices”.
Explaining the strategic plan of ReNOKA to the House of Senate, the Deputy ICM Coordinator ‘Mats’olo Migwi said the mission of the programme is to facilitate the improvement of the livelihoods of Basotho through efficient land administration, equitable access and sustainable management of water resources.
“Sustainable land use planning and protection of water resources remain immensely important for food security, socio-economic development of the country and mitigation of climate change impacts,” she said.
Migwi further explained that since the programme was launched in 2021, communities have been engaged and informed about protecting land and water resources such as wetlands.
Both the chairman of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Natural Resources Hon. Moketsi Mots’oane and the President of Senate Hon. ‘Mamonaheng Mokitimi acknowledged that it is important for the parliament to be conversant with ReNOKA and to support the programme in it’s efforts.
Hon. Mots’oane said one main area of focus for them is to fully support the work of ReNOKA through the amendment of the by-laws and their implementation.
