Environmental and Water experts within the East African Community want the Partner states to develop National water quality management policies in line with the Regional Water quality Policy.
The experts are also calling for the formulization and harmonization of the stipulated guidelines and standards.
During a regional workshop for draft harmonized policy on water quality management in Entebbe in the Republic of Uganda, the experts also recommended for the establishment of a focal institution for Water Quality to streamline roles and responsibilities of the mandated institutions to avoid duplication.
A section of participants during the workshop
Apart from establishing archiving mechanisms, the experts are also calling for the development and implementation of a regional disaster risk management strategy and action plan for the water sector that adequately addresses water quality risks.
In addition, the experts also proposed for the highlight of Budget and funding for strengthening Water Quality Management
Lake Victoria Basin Commission’s deputy executive secretary Eng Coletha Ruhamya who gave the opening remark in two-day workshop said, “This is a critical step in developing a responsive harmonized regional policy, but also a good strategy and action plan for water quality management”.
Deputy Executive Secretary LVBC Eng Coletha Ruhamya reacts during the workshop.
The assignment is carried out under the Nile Cooperation for Climate Resilience (NCCR) Project, a project jointly implemented by the three centers of NBI (NBI Secretariat, NELSAP, and ENTRO), Nile Basin Discourse (NBD), and LVBC, through five (5) thematic areas and project components that are each aligned to the implementing agencies.
LVBC is leading Component 4; “Water Quality in the Lake Victoria Sub-Basin” and specifically focusing on Water Quality Policy and Institution Harmonization, Development of a Strategy and Action Plan.
Participants at the workshop follow proceedings.
The activity covers seven (7) NEL-countries which also double as East Africa Community Partner States; that is Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda.
The overall objective of this activity is to harmonize and strengthen Water Quality Policies which govern Water Quality Management in the NEL sub-basin
Countries to enhance cooperative management of shared resources and develop a strategy and action plan.