Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) have urged relevant agencies to increase the pace of the implementation of the Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Phase II (LVWATSAN II).

The legislators were, yesterday, in Kayonza District, for an on-spot assessment of the project that is expected to set up facilities such as water drainage, waste disposal sites, public toilets and water supply.

The firsthand experience by the regional legislators was intended to help them understand the programme’s progress and challenges in order to facilitate its smooth and sustainable implementation.

During the visit, the Eala members, all members of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, met with key actors in the project, including the Mayor of Kayonza and technical staff in the town.

The legislatures visited facilities such as modern public toilets, water drainage system and district headquarters.

Christophe Bazivamo, who led the team, said if fully implemented, LVWATSAN II would greatly improve the livelihoods of the people in the 15 targeted towns in the Lake Victoria Basin.

Mayor John Mugabo, however, expressed concern about delays in the commencement of the programme implementation on the ground and urged the regional parliament legislators to lobby concerned actors to speed up the process.

He lamented the gap in information about project progress at all levels and the high community expectations as some of the challenges that need immediate attention.

The delegation echoed the same concern and pledged to advocate for the project.

The activities of LVWATSAN are being undertaken in Kayonza, Nyagatare and Nyanza districts.

MP Mike Sebalu (Uganda) said the project’s sluggish implementation was affecting even the already set up infrastructure.

The committee will take stock of the observations and make recommendations which it will report back to the regional assembly.

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