The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Strategic Plan 2011-2016 has been adopted at the 10th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin.
The Sectoral Council held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30th April to 5th May 2012, also directed the LVBC Secretariat to prepare a resource mobilisation strategy to guide its implementation.
The LVBC Strategic Plan 2011-2016 shall contribute to the realisation of the aspirations set out in the 4th East African Community Development Strategy 2011-2016.
The LVBC Strategic Plan has got six development objectives, including: (1) strengthening the coordination and management capacity of the LVBC Secretariat; (2) enhancing cooperation between LVBC and EAC organs, institutions and partners; (3) harmonising approaches for sustainable management and development natural resources of the Lake Victoria Basin.
The fourth is harmonisation of HIV&AIDS policy frameworks and practice for mobile population across the East African region; (5) improvement of safety of navigation and security on Lake Victoria; (6) promoting conservation and management of natural resources and biodiversity in and outside protected areas.
Other reports considered and adopted included progress reports for LVBC projects and programmes as well as finance, administrative and institutional matters.
In his statement, the Chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers and Minister for East African Community in the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Musa Sirma, hailed Sectoral Council for Lake Victoria Basin for making policy decisions that were yielding desired results.
He expressed appreciation for the support provided by EAC’s development partners including, the International Development Association, the European Community, the Global Environment Facility and the Swedish International Development Agency.
During the meeting, the LVBC Executive Secretary, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, highlighted the problems faced by the Lake Victoria Basin.
“The Basin continues to be faced by poverty, environmental degradation, avoidable deaths from droughts, floods, landslides and accidents, as well as climate change challenges.
“Whereas commendable results are being achieved through our ongoing projects and programmes, these huge challenges call for an adjustment in our focus to allow a balance between the software and hardware interventions so that LVBC can support investment in infrastructure to address the above-mentioned challenges,” said Dr. Kanangire.
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