Kampala — Lake Victoria Environment Management Project (LVEMP) has got a grant of $1.8 million from the Norwegian government to facilitate its activities.

Speaking during a one-day workshop at Hotel Africana recently, Norwegian Ambassador Tore Gjoqs said the $1.8 millon is to be shared among the three East African countries to facilitate the activities of the vision and priotisation process for presentation at the East African regional workshop from 2-4 May in Arusha.

"Its contribution to resource development in the global world, Lake Victoria being the largest Eco-system with great value to the surrounding communities," said Mr Tore.

The Ministerof state for Environment, Kezimbiro Muyingo said the establishment of East African Community and East African Development Strategy 2001-2005 has designated the comprehensive strategies and action plans for sustainable development of the whole of Lake Victoria basin.

Mr Muyingo said the project is to benefit the ministries and department of fisheries and agriculture in the three countries and districts around the lake.

"Ministries should involve small and big stakeholders in the survey process to ensure proper management and eliminate water hyacinth, bad fishing and farming practices cultivating near the shores, which have reduced on the level of water in lake Victoria," he said.

He said that the ministry has invited the private sector to attract local and foreign investors to contribute to the facilitation of the project because LVEMP is too large for government funding.