We’ll eradicate hyacinth, says Nyanza PC

By Winsley Masese

The water hyacinth in Lake Victoria could soon be eradicated, a Government official has said.

Nyanza deputy PC Joseph Irungu said Phase 1 of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme (LVEMP), which involved research, is complete, adding it is time for implementation of the findings.

Fishermen in Lake Victoria uproot the water hyacinth. The weed, which has colonised the lake for close to a decade, has affected fishing and transportation. [PHOTO: file/STANDARD]

"Research findings on the weed are with us and it is time to implement them by actual removal of the weed," said Mr Irungu.

He said it is now upon environmental management organisations to lead the way in removing the weed.

The hyacinth has for years now threatened the aqua system on the lake and with it the livelihoods of people living around the lake and beyond.

The official, who is also the chairman of the Provincial Environmental Committee, also urged locals to find out how to earn income from the weed and the conservation efforts.

World Bank funding

"We already have some offers from interested parties who want to make use of the weed," Irungu said.

Recently, Lake Basin Commission Executive Secretary Tom Okurut told an EAC Council of Ministers at a Kisumu hotel that LVEMP Phase II, the Lake Victoria Watsan and Lake Victoria Communication, have received Sh19.4 billion to conserve the lake.

The World Bank has also injected Sh7.2 billion for conservation efforts through LVEMP.

The bank also funded Phase I of the programme to the tune of $77.8 million.

The administrator said awareness creation on environment matters is key to conserving the resources and urged those involved in conservation to get out of their offices and go to the field.

"It is time to go out to the field to implement the environment Act," he said.

Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water body in the world, but it faces numerous environmental challenges.

The resource supports a large fishing industry, water supply, transportation and hydropower generation.