The construction of the second phase of the new Lake Victoria Basin Commission Headquarters has kicked off in Kisumu.
The second phase of construction will cost two million, five hundred and sixty thousand seven hundred and seventy point six eight US dollars($ 2,560,718.68).
This construction of the new Headquarters will help in promoting regional integration and it is fully funded by the East African Partner States.
The Executive Secretary of Lake Victoria Basin Commission Dr Masinde Bwire officially handed over the site to the contractor China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited and China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co. Limited .
Dr Bwire indicated that the construction of the second phase is set to be completed within eighty weeks.
The Executive Secretary said that the East African Partner States are closely monitoring this project and are keen to ensure that it is completed soon.
The new headquarters will host several departments for various projects undertaken by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, a body within the East African Community.
Arch. David Waititu PS representative, LVBC, Contractor and Project Team from state department of public works during the site handover on 25/07/2023
“We intend to have this magnificent building being the centre where all the Project Coordinators will be able to perform their work with ease” he said.
The representative of the Principal Secretary State Department of Public Works Arch. David Waititu reaffirmed that the department will work closely with the Commission to ensure adequate supervision of the construction during this second phase.
“We have checked all the designs and what now remains is the contractor to move up with speed to complete it”, he said.
The Headquarters is being built on 2.8-acre land within the shores of Lake Victoria donated by the Kenyan government in 2016.
Upon completion, the headquarters will fast-track consolidation and ensure smooth coordination of the activities of the commission across the Lake Victoria Basin.
The design process began in 2006 and the commencement of the phase one construction began in January 2021 with an initial 52- week contract period that ended on 31st August 2022.
The Commission, an institution of East Africa Community with its headquarters in Kenya, is currently housed at the Nyanza Regional Headquarters.
It’s mandated to regulate and promote, facilitate and co-ordinate activities of different actors towards sustainable development and poverty eradication of the Lake Victoria Basin.