The DR Congo Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Hon. Paluku Kisaka Yereyere expressed gratitude to the LEAF II project for supporting DR Congo to among others construct water quality monitoring stations, a fisheries research station, mobile water quality lab and fish landing sites. The Minister, through Mr. Gaspard Nzita, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, delivered his message at the 4th Regional Project Steering Committee meeting that was held on 3rd and 4th July 2019 in Kinshasa.
The Minister stressed on the importance of the Bilateral Lakes Edward and Albert Agreement signed between DR Congo and Uganda on 20th October 2018 at Munyonyo, in Kampala for harmonization of management of the two lakes. He commended the technical and financial support LEAF II project partners, AfDB, and GEF have provided and the smooth coordination NBI/NELSAP-CU continues to provide for the countries to deliver the project results.
During the event, the NELSAP Regional Coordinator Eng. Elicad Elly Nyabeeya also commended DR Congo and Uganda for signing the Bilateral Fisheries Agreement for joint management of the Lakes Edward and Albert and noted that it has provided a framework for the two countries to better optimize the fishing practice in sustaining the fisheries resources. Speaking prior to the conference, during the validation of the basin management plans of Lakes Edward and Albert (July 2019-June 2020) Mr Georges Koshi, the Secretary General to Ministry of Rural Development of DR Congo and also chair of the Regional Project Steering Committee expressed confidence that the two countries are building consensus and harmonized view on the management plans for the two lakes as a priority.
LEAF II Project Benefits to DR Congo
DR Congo is constructing four fish landing sites at Tchomia and Mahagi ports on Lake Albert and at Kyavinyonge and Vitshumbi on Lake Edward through the LEAF II project. DRC is also constructing two surveillance stations at Vitshumbi and Kasenyi on Lake Albert and fisheries research station at Kasenyi. Project also delivered two (2) equipped patrol boats to DR Congo to support surveillance and enforcement on lakes Edward and Albert, and a fully equipped mobile water quality laboratory van to support water quality monitoring and management and is also conducting studies on catchment management and aquaculture potential on the two lakes.