March 16, 2006—The World Bank is concerned about the decrease in Lake Victoria’s water level. This is a very complex situation, given the environmental, social and economic importance of Lake Victoria, the prolonged period of regional drought, and significant hydropower shortfalls throughout the region.
Recent reports, including a report of the East African Community (EAC) Regional Technical Working Group in January 2006, as well as Bank analysis of available data, attribute the falling water levels to the extended 3-year period of drought in the region and over abstraction of water for power generation. The Bank continues to work with partner states on improving water management, and addressing the prevailing power shortages as a matter of urgency.
Water management : Through the regional Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) and the Nile Basin Initiative, the Bank is supporting improved environmental management of the Lake Victoria and the Nile basin. Specifically, LVEMP has assisted the countries to:
- better measure stocks of fish
- reduce infestation of water hyacinth to manageable levels through biological and other controls
- understand issues of hydrology of the lake and water quality
- react appropriately to a temporary ban on exports of fish imposed by the EU
- improve the livelihoods of selected lakeside communities through micro-investments,
- lay the foundation for enhanced regional management of the lake through establishment of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.
Partner states— Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya— continue to monitor the Lake levels and are implementing short term measures recommended by water experts. On World Bank advice, these countries commissioned a situational analysis of Lake Victoria and its catchment hydrology and meteorological regimes, which was discussed by a technical working group in January 2006. Heads of State will come together on April 5 to discuss this critical issue. The World Bank will continue to provide technical support to this process. Affected countries are also looking to establish regional mechanisms for more effective water management, expected to be supported by a second phase of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project. In addition, there are World Bank projects under preparation that will contribute to better water management in upper catchments close to the Lake, thereby benefiting the Lake indirectly.
Power : The World Bank has proposed to assist countries for the loss of hydro-power, by installation of thermal and gas as well as accelerating regional interconnectivity. The quickest wins will come from improving overall efficiency and performance, followed by environmentally sustainable investments in least-cost generation and related transmission and distribution. In parallel, the World Bank is helping countries meet the energy needs of unserved rural populations.
To respond to the prevailing energy situation in the region, the Bank and other partners are discussing a number of options with the affected Governments, including:
- procurement of short-term generation capacity;
- instituting measures for accelerated efficiency in electricity transmission and distribution, with the objective of reducing power losses; and
- the development of longer term, least-cost power generation.
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