KIGALI - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided a $120 million grant to address the water and sanitation challenges on Lake Victoria.

The grant, according to the Secretary General of the East African Community, Juma Mwapachu, will support three different towns in three EAC partner states.

"The bank has also made substantial commitments to support the maritime communications and safety in the lake,” Mwapachu told hundreds of delegates yesterday at the ongoing Lake Victoria Basin investment forum in Mwanza, Tanzania.

In the same spirit, Sweden and World Bank have through the Lake Victoria Environmental Conservation Project provided $257.2 million to address environmental concerns in the basin for eight years.

The Sectoral Council Chairperson of Lake Victoria Mark Mwandosya observed that water quality in the region has continued to decline due to poor watershed management.

"Invasive weeds continue to destroy our water bodies,” he said, adding that water borne diseases have also increased leading to high infant mortality.

Participants at the conference emphasized the need for investors to partner with governments in making sure water resources are sustained.

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