Overview

The East African Community has designated Lake Victoria and its Basin as an "area of common economic interest" and a "regional economic growth zone" to be developed jointly by the Partner States. And Lake Victoria is the focus of new attention following the declaration by the East African Community Heads of State that a joint programme be developed for the overall management and rational utilization of the shared resources of the Lake.

The East African Community established the Lake Victoria Basin Commission formerly known as the Lake Victoria Development Programme in 2001, as a mechanism for coordinating the various interventions on the Lake and its Basin; and serving as a centre for promotion of investments and information sharing among the various stakeholders. The programme is the driving force for turning the Lake Victoria Basin into a real economic growth zone.

The commission envisages a broad partnership of the local communities around the Lake, the East African Community and its Partner States as well as the development partners. The commission’s activities are focusing on the…

•    Harmonization of policies and laws on the management of the environment in the Lake and its catchment area;

•    Continuation of the environmental management of the Lake, including control and eradication of the water hyacinth;

•    Management and conservation of aquatic resources, including fisheries;

•    Economic activities in the development of fishing, industry, agriculture and tourism; and

•    Development of infrastructure, including revamping the transport system on and around the Lake.

The Commission further places emphasis on poverty eradication and the participation of the local communities. It is expected to make a significant contribution towards reduction of poverty by uplifting the living standards of the people of the Lake region. This is to be achieved through economic growth, investments and sustainable development practices that are cognizant of the environment.

Organizational Operations

Lake Victoria Basin Commission is established by a protocol for sustainable development of Lake Victoria basin under article 33 as a permanent apex institution of the community responsible for the lake basin. The objectives and broad functions of the secretariat of the commission is to promote, coordinate and facilitate development initiatives within the Lake Victoria basin.

The signing of the protocol for sustainable development of the Lake Victoria Basin on the 29th November 2003 and its ratification in December 2004, in effect cleared the way for the establishment of the lake Victoria Basin Commission.

The secretariat headquarters is based in Kisumu City, Kenya after being relocated Arusha in January 2007

The policy and decision making organ for the Commission is the  Sectoral Council which is constituted by Ministers from the Partner States while the Committee comprises of all Permanent Secretaries from the three Partner States whose Ministries' mandates relate to the Lake Victoria Basin, particularly Water, Agriculture, Transport, Communication, Energy, Tourism and Wildlife, Fisheries, Environment and Economic development.

Major Highlights of the Commission

Here are major highlights of some of the activities that have so far been accomplished by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission

•    Setting up of National Focal Points for the Programme in the Partner States; the Focal Points are the main links between the Programme and the Partner States. They are also responsible for coordination and harmonization of the Lake Victoria Basin activities of the various Ministries, NGOs, special interest groups and other development partners in the Partner States. The Focal Ministries are: Environment and Natural Resources in Kenya; Water, Lands and Environment in Uganda and; Water and Livestock Development in Tanzania (2001).

•    Signing of a Partnership Agreement between the East African Community and Development Partners on the Promotion of Sustainable Development in Lake Victoria; the development partners who are the present signatories to this agreement are the East African Development Bank, the World Bank, Swedish Government (through SIDA), the Norwegian Government, and the French Government (2001).

•    Establishment and operationalization of a Partnership Consultative Committee for the purpose of implementing the Partnership Agreement.

•    Establishment of a Partnership Fund and the Regulations governing its operation.

•    Preparation of a Protocol on Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria and its Basin; the protocol gives the legal backing for all the intended interventions in the Lake Basin (2003).

•    Carrying out a study to assess the Potentials and constraints to sustainable development of the Lake Basin; the study document provides the relevant details, including economic potential and investment factors (2003).

•    Developing a Vision and Strategy Framework for Management and sustainable development of Lake Victoria Basin. This was a highly consultative process carried out at local, district, national and regional levels.

Current Coordination Arrangements

The National Focal Point Ministries for the Lake Victoria Basin Commission provide a link between the LVBC Secretariat and Partner States.  Currently, the designated Focal Point Ministries are:

1.    Ministry of Water, Environment, Land Management and Urban Planning – Burundi

2.    Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources – Kenya

3.    Ministry of Natural Resources – Rwanda

4.    Ministry of Water and Irrigation – Tanzania

5.    Ministry of Water and Environment- Uganda,

The Vision and Mission of LVBC

The Vision of Lake Victoria Basin Commission

The Vision of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission which was developed through a consultative process is to have: “A prosperous population living in a healthy and sustainably managed environment providing equitable opportunities and benefits”

Mission of Lake Victoria Basin Commission

The Mission of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission is to promote, facilitate and coordinate activities of different actors towards sustainable development and poverty eradication of the Lake Victoria Basin.

 Shared Vision and Strategy Framework for Victoria Basin

The Shared Vision and Strategy Framework for Management and Development of the Lake Victoria Basin developed in 2003 is a strategic framework that is to guide the work of the LVBC and all its stakeholders. The Shared Vision and Strategy Framework for Management and Development of LVB focuses on 5 thematic (policy areas):

a)    Ecosystems, Natural Resources and Environment;

b)    Production and Income Generation;

c)    Living condition and quality of Life;

d)    Population and Demography; and

e)    Governance, Institutions and Policies.

LVBC Operational Strategy (2007-2010)

EAC Development Strategy (2006 – 2010) requires LVBC to implement among others the Shared and Strategy Framework for Management and Development of LVB. To operationalize this, LVBC has prepared an Operational Strategy which is now approved. The Operational Strategy, which is based on the 5 thematic areas of the shared vision, has generated 9 programme Areas. However, for the period of the EAC Development Strategy, the Operational strategy is focusing on 6 priority programme areas:

a)    Governance and Institutional Development;

b)    Maritime, Safety and Security;

c)    Environment and Natural Resources Management’

d)    Water Resources Management;

e)    Information and Communication;

f)    Support programme

All the projects and programmes of the EAC/LVBC should be within the framework of the Operational Strategy.