By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan has been admitted as a full member of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) during recent regional conferences in Kenya and Burundi.
Pal Mai Deng, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, briefed the Cabinet (meeting No.7) on the status of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) applications on Friday.
Deputy Minister of Information, Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok, told journalists after the meeting that South Sudan’s acceptance came after endorsing the LVBC charters aligned with East African Community (EAC) protocols.
“This admission allows us to share water management data with other member states and potentially receive funding for water projects,” Dr. Korok highlighted the advantages of membership.
The LVBC protocols emphasize cooperation among member states for the sustainable development and management of the basin’s resources.
This includes water resources, fisheries, agriculture, land-use practices (irrigation, wetlands), and environmental protection.
Section 6 of the Lake Victoria Basin Agreement calls on member states to work together to protect and conserve the basin’s ecosystems. This includes protecting wildlife, endangered species, wetlands, and fisheries.