The chief guest, The secretary General Lake Victoria Basin commission,Representative from ICLEI and other relevant organization to
LVRLAC, The hon. Speaker of Kisumu Country Assembly, Hon. Vice chairpersons of LVRLAC, The Secretary General LVRLAC,
Distinguished guests, Fellow delegates, Ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the LVRLAC fraternity and the general populace that we serve in the Lake region, allow me to take this very special
opportunity to extend over utmost gratitude to our distinguished guest, the delegates to this year’s Annual General Assembly. Our treasured partners: The ICLEI, UN- Habitat, UNEP, LVBC, SUITS, extra and friends of LVRLAC.
It’s my humble pleasure to welcome you once again to this gathering of top local leadership in the Lake Victoria Region. Your turn up to this Assembly is symbolic of our sustained resolve to work together as Local Government in the Lake region to manage, conserve
and protect the Lake, its resource and the General environment within the Lake region. Our present benefits and more importantly that of the future generations.
I would like to thank my colleagues the chairpersons of the chapters, their executive, regional and chapter secretariats and all of you for
maintaining love and commitment for LVRLAC, without which we wouldn’t be here.
On a particular note, I wish to register my appreciation to our new Secretary General for his overwhelming performance of LVRLAC duties with utmost resilience amidst challenges from all corners. You have really been spot on; on all issues. please keep it up.
Specifically, I wish to point out on specific issues on which I implore you to think strategically and make resolve in this General Assembly. They are:
a. Regular and active participation in all LVRLAC activities without leaving communities behind.
b. Bringing on board the private sector and their respective organizations to ensure that LVRLAC taps into their respective corporate social responsibility strategies and resources.
c. As a strategy, in all LVRLAC meetings at all levels, let’s make simple resolutions/ declarations which are implementable and achievable
(one by one makes a bundle. Let’s think big. Start small and start immediately.)
d. At whatever cost, LVRLAC should as a priority bring on board youth in whatever we do given their significance, numbers and potential in our communities.
e., As local authorities we should enact legislation at our level in form of bye – laws and ordinances which are pro Lake Victoria, Rivers,
wetlands and the general environment within the lake catchment area.
f. Partnerships. Networking and collaboration at all levels and synergizing best practices, is the way to go.
g. Our active participation at local and international relevant meetings, conferences and activities should be taken seriously.
h. Our close working relationship with the East African Community secretariat, relevant UN agencies and research institutions, will not
only enhance our local and international credibility and visibility at all levels but shall go a long way to help us make informed policies
based on research findings.
i. We should not forget furthering efforts and fulfilling the activities as elaborated in our strategic plan. (which can now be accessed online)
As I conclude, my special thanks go to Kenya Chapter for hosting this AGA amidst challenges. We are grateful to the honorable Speaker of Kisumu County Assembly, the City manager and the entire city board of Kisumu, Ms. Prisca Auma Misearch and Ms. Sally Okuda with the AGA organizing team of ten members of Kisumu County Assembly. For sure, without your quick intervention, commitment and some resource allocation and guidance to the regional secretariat maybe this AGA wouldn’t happen. Please keep it up.
I am confident that with mentoring of the executive committee, help from the secretariat and the collective support of our membership, LVRLAAC will grow from strength to strength during our leadership.
My strategic focus will be on consolidating the gains and activities previously achieved and sharing experiences learnt to forge a way forward. I will use a multi-prolonged approach towards accomplishing our strategic goals through active engagement with our communities and our partners, whose missions are in line with ours to protect our Lake and the general environment from avoidable activities that threaten our existence.
Asante sana.
Kayanja Vincent Depaul,
Chairperson LVRLAC – Region.