The World Bank has allocated Sh. 105 million towards the implementation of the Nile Co-operation Climate Resistance Project.
The implementation of the project will be undertaken in all seven East African partner states, namely Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Southern Sudan.
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Deputy Executive Secretary Eng. Colletha Ruhamya confirmed that the bank has already committed to supporting the initiative, whose main aim is to improve mechanisms for cooperation on water resources management and development in the Nile Basin.
Eng. Ruhamya said that through the funding, the commission will implement water quality in the Lake Victoria sub-basin, harmonise policy, and develop a strategy and action plan.
She said, “We appreciate the great support of the World Bank coming at a time when a huge population of people living within the Nile basin is facing major problems. This funding will go a long way in sorting out the existing challenges.”
Eng. Ruhamya said the activities will be covered in all seven Nile equatorial lake countries and the East African partner states.
She said the overall objective of the activity will be to harmonise and strengthen the water quality policies that govern the sub-basin countries.
In addition, Eng. Ruhamya said the commission is in discussion with the World Bank on maritime issues, remote sensing for water quality, and Lake water level monitoring.
“The permanent secretaries from the seven partner states have committed to ensuring that they mobilise resources that will help in the smooth implementation of these projects,” she said.
The Nile basin has been facing serious threats, among them deforestation, overgrazing, and soil erosion due to poor agricultural practises within the lake catchment.
The sustainability of water supply in the context of an increased human population and persistent drought has also been identified as a major challenge affecting people living within the basin.
Lake Victoria, which is the second-largest freshwater body in the world, is also faced with pollution that threatens both human and aquatic life.
Eng. Ruhamya said the East Africa Cooperation (EAC) body has developed a consultation plan that has been validated by all seven member states.
“As a commission, we are focusing on ensuring that the lake is well conserved by emphasising the reduction of plastic waste,” she said.
By Chris Mahandara
