The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) has scheduled a celebration in November to commemorate the lake’s anniversary.
Scientists, environmentalists, researchers, government officials and agencies, financial institutions and development partners will converge to celebrate the day which is earmarked for deliberating on issues affecting the water body.
LVBC Executive Secretary (ES) Dr. Masinde Bwire said the celebrations to be marked annually on rotational basis in five East Africa Community (EAC) partner states targets to come up with a shared action plan to conserve the delicate ecosystem.
Dr. Bwire said the inaugural celebrations whose theme is ‘Revive and thrive: Uniting for Lake Victoria’s future’ will have an array of activities to highlight the plight of the second largest freshwater lake in the world.
The speaker mentioned a scientific conference where researchers and organizations will present papers on various lake-related subjects and issues. Celebrations will focus on pollution, water quality, wastewater management, land degradation, deforestation, integrated water resource management, climate change, and sustainable resource management in Lake Victoria Basin.
Speaking in Kisumu during the 22nd Sectoral Council of Ministers on Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB), Dr. Bwire said pollution remains one of the biggest challenge facing the lake ecosystem calling for concerted efforts between the EAC partner states to address the menace.
Research shows that lake pollution has worsened over the past forty years, indicating a need for more action to tackle this issue.
By Chris Mahandara
