Fatina Kabogoza
December 11, 2013
The Federal Republic of Germany has announced a new commitment to the East African Community in the water and sanitation sector.
The East African Community and Germany believe that coordinated transboundary investment approaches are needed to cope with the growing demand for safe water, to fight increasing pollution of water systems and to deal with climate-related challenges.
In this regard, Germany committed a first tranche of 10 million Euros to the ‘Trans boundary Water Supply and Sanitation Programme’ in order to contribute to improved water and sanitation infrastructure in selected EAC border towns. The programme will be implemented with the Lake Victoria Basin Organisation (LVBC) of the EAC as Project Executing Agency.
The commitment was announced by a high-ranking German delegation, led by Ralf-Matthias Mohs, Head of Division East Africa, Federal Ministry for Development Cooperation, including Hans Koeppel, Chargé d´Affaires at the German Embassy Dar es Salaam, Lena Thiede, Head of Cooperation EAC at the German Embassy Dar es salaam, as well as Burkhard Hinz, Regional Manager West and East Africa, KfW Development Bank.
Speaking at the ceremony Secretary General of East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera said today’s signing demonstrates the strong partnership between the EAC and the Federal Republic of Germany. He applauded Germany for its commitment and consistent support towards EAC Project and Programmes.
Amb Sezibera affirmed EAC’s readiness to continue close cooperation with theFederal Republic of Germany.
Hans Koeppel, Chargé d´Affaires at the German Embassy in Tanzania, said:“The new commitments underline that Germany continues to be a strong partner for the EAC, contributing to an integration process that puts the people in the centre”.
Since as early as 1998, Germany’s development cooperation, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), contributes to the capacity development of the Secretariat of the EAC and the regional integration in East Africa through a variety of programmes and projects. Germany’s funding for Technical and Financial Cooperation with the EAC amounts to a total of 125.9 million Euros. Germany also provides substantial support for the water and governance sectors in selected EAC member states.
