Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) has announced plans aimed at improving transport and security in Lake Victoria.
The Commission Executive Secretary Dr Ally Matano confirmed on Friday that the Commission is negotiating for Sh300 million from the African Development Bank to improve transport and security within the lake.
Mr Matano decried incidences of lake tragedies which have been common and need a permanent solution.
“Just recently, we lost a team of musicians in the lake, later we also lost some fishermen on the lake. That should be addressed but only with proper infrastructure,” he said.
Matano said the Commission will soon roll out the multinational Lake Victoria Transport and Communication Project to be funded by the bank.
He said under the project, maritime coordination centres and rescue centres will be established along the lake in the three East African Community countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to respond to lake disasters.
“If we get the boost, then we will establish rescue and maritime coordination centers in the lake to cover the three states so that nobody losses life in the lake when he or she can be rescued though quick response,” he said.
Addressing the press at his office in Kisumu, Matano said the rescue centres will be able to respond in time whenever a distress call is made.
He says it is the responsibility of the Commission to ensure lake users mainly fishermen are safe while on fishing expedition.
Matano announced that the three states are in the progress of negotiating with the Bank and a breakthrough is expected by September this year.