{"id":10567,"date":"2022-07-18T14:23:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T14:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/president-continues-visits-to-inner-islands"},"modified":"2022-07-18T15:13:52","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T15:13:52","slug":"president-continues-visits-to-inner-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/seychelles\/all-news\/president-continues-visits-to-inner-islands","title":{"rendered":"President continues visits to inner islands"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Seychelles. <\/strong><\/span>President Wavel Ramkalawan continued with his series of visits to the inner islands on Saturday.<\/b>
\nThe presidential delegation comprised Vice-President Ahmed Afif and other high level government officials.<\/p>\n

Upon their arrival on Praslin, the delegation who also included the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, visited briefly the rock armouring opposite the Praslin airport which was built not so long ago to protect from erosion the land where the previous STC warehouse was located. The rock armouring is already feeling the full force of nature and it is clear that something needs to be done to improve its effectiveness.<\/p>\n

The visit continued with a meeting with contractors and cleaning agencies managed by the Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA). This was held in the Grand Anse Praslin district administration building.<\/p>\n

The presidential delegation together with the LWMA officials could hear about the challenges the contractors face on a daily basis and discuss how best LWMA and other governmental stakeholders can facilitate them in their work. Almost all contractors were present for the meeting. Both short and long term solutions were proposed and discussed wih regard to concerns raised.<\/p>\n

Praslin was particularly praised for its cleanliness and wonderful landscaping. Contractors and cleaning agencies were encouraged to keep up the good effort in keeping the island clean and welcoming. Concerns raised were mainly around their contracts, late payment, the need for more sensitisation to reduce public littering and the need for better discussions between LWMA and district authorities.<\/p>\n

A similar meeting was held in the afternoon on La Digue at the Bamboo Vert Restaurant. There President Ramkalawan was however disappointed with the cleanliness of the island. He called on contractors and the La Digue community at large to strive harder and turn the island in a much cleaner one. Concerns raised were the misuse of bins, excessive littering by the public especially in the roadside gutters, lack of bins, short opening hours for the landfill and lack of an office for LWMA officials on the island.<\/p>\n

The President, Minister Joubert and the chief executive of LWMA, Sheils Barra, gave their commitment towards the agency and the contractors so as to ensure that there is improvement in the cleanliness of both islands.<\/p>\n

Baie Ste Anne Jetty<\/b><\/p>\n

The Baie Ste Anne jetty which currently houses the passenger ferry terminal, was badly hit by strong south east monsoon waves recently, enduring certain damage. Before boarding the coast guard vessel to La Digue the delegation made time to view the damage to the jetty which has been stabilised but is still closed for moving vehicles.<\/p>\n

Recognition Award ceremony<\/b><\/p>\n

While on La Digue President Ramkalawan and his delegation joined a Ceremony of Appreciation for the law enforcement officers, rescue personnel and civilians in recognition for the support provided in the risky operation to rescue a visitor on La Digue recently.<\/p>\n

A 56-year-old Slovenian lady who was on a guided trail in the Grand Anse area, accidentally fell and was injured on June 30, 2022. The police department and the Seychelles Rescue and Fire Services Agency (SFRSA) were contacted to assist in transporting her for medical attention. This rescue operation was particularly risky because of the difficult terrain and bad weather conditions on the day.<\/p>\n

The operation took many hours to complete, escalating late in the night but finally, it was a success by the good collaborative effort of all those present.<\/p>\n

These individuals were presented with an award of appreciation for their courage and bravery despite harsh conditions by the Commissioner of Police, Ted Barbe, in a ceremony also held at the Bamboo Vert Chalets. Two civilian volunteers \u2013 Robert Agnes and Lionel Waye Hive \u2013 shared their experience of the event while pointing out their appreciation for such an award.<\/p>\n

In his address to the invitees, Police Commissioner Barbe thanked all awardees for their act of courage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key to prevention is to stop crimes from happening and it is through good support and partnership with the general public that we can achieve this. This should continue and let us strive to instill in ourselves and others the need for collaborative effort in moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also thanked all police officers as well. \u201cRemember that as much as you receive a monthly remuneration for your hard work and bravery, good will and positive actions carry immeasurable rewards. Let this good partnership with the community come as an encouragement to try even harder, knowing that you are not alone in this battle to maintain peace and order.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his part, President Ramkalawan also thanked and congratulated all awardees and called on them to keep up the support they wholeheartedly provide to the community.<\/p>\n

He reiterated Lionel Waye Hive\u2019s words that \u2018Thank You\u2019 is a simple word that carries extraordinary significance and value, expressing the importance of thanking others for their good deeds.<\/p>\n

President Ramkalawan also called on all police and SFRSA officers to keep up their good work, continue to have respect for their uniforms and perceive this fruitful partnership with the community as a sign of hope and encouragement to strive even harder for excellence in their duties.<\/p>\n

To note that a similar recognition ceremony was held for the inner islands volunteers last month on Praslin.<\/p>\n

\u2018Kato Nwanr\u2019 meeting<\/b><\/p>\n

The visit ended with a public meeting at Baie Ste Anne to discuss the newly conceptualised \u2018Kato Nwanr\u2019 development project for the district.<\/p>\n

This development project includes a new marina expecting to berth some 50 hire craft and other leisure vessels adjacent to the new passenger terminal, on the plot of land jutting out into sea, better known as PUC Electricity Island.<\/p>\n

An extension is being proposed on the opposite side, facing the Au Cap coast, that is expected to be used for berthing of smaller vessels with extension of the current road.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, there is a proposal for the extension of the current flag post area for a commercial building with a spectacular view of the bay.<\/p>\n

A multi storey car park building next to the passenger terminal, PUC power and sewerage management facilities for berthing vessels and other commercial buildings which can house restaurants and entertainment facilities are also in the works.<\/p>\n

Also being proposed is a sports complex on Eve island and a new reclamation area opposite the police station to extend along the coast until the \u2018Fish Trap\u2019 area which will include a bridge to connect to Eve island.<\/p>\n

While presenting the concept to the over 100 Praslinois in attendance, President Ramkalawan pointed out that the proposed development is for the benefit of Praslin and its people.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should be a project that the islanders should take ownership of and join together to implement as the government will only facilitate it but it will be the local individuals and businesses who should invest, finance and make it become a reality,\u201d President Ramkalawan said.<\/p>\n

While sharing their views most attendees welcomed the idea of the project and thanked the President for making time to meet with them.<\/p>\n

Some of the concerns raised were on the impact that such development will have on the fish habitat and the environment as a whole. Someone mentioned that he would prefer that only Praslinois are allowed to participate in the project while one shared his concerns for the state of current utility supplies such as electricity and water and even the state of the public road which he suggested should be upgraded before the project is implemented.<\/p>\n

One participant proposed that a committee is created to continue working and developing the idea of the project. The President welcomed his proposal and asked the district authorities to take up on this proposal.<\/p>\n

Other attendees shared their views and concerns about the proposed plan which will now be re-assessed based on recommendations made.<\/p>\n

At the end of the visit, President Ramkalawan shared with us his impression of the day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday has been a busy but satisfactory day. First, we visited the rock armouring site at Amitie. We have identified certain issues with it and now we have to plan on how best to proceed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we met with cleaning agencies and contractors in a meeting. We could hear their challenges and I congratulated them for their great job in keeping Praslin very clean. I am very proud of this cleanliness and I call on all Praslinois to not litter and pollute the environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe visited the Baie Ste Anne jetty which was hit by strong waves recently. I am glad to note that technicians have confirmed that the jetty itself is stable and we are already discussing how we can install some rock armouring to reduce the strength of incoming waves.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn La Digue, I had the opportunity to thank all civilians, police officers and SFRSA officers who helped in the rescue operation to save the Slovenian lady on June 30. They were also happy that we had recognised their effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was saddened to receive the news that we had lost two German tourists on Mah\u00e9 while I was on La Digue. Such events deeply touch me and I present my sympathy to their families. However, we managed to save another tourist on the same day and I would like to thank all those who helped in doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, what better way to end the day than with a room full of Praslinois who are interested to learn about the \u2018Kato Nwanr\u2019 project and how it can raise the standard of Praslin. All propositions, criticisms and concerns have been taken into consideration. I would like to thank all MNAs and district authorities for the meeting and technicians, ministers and all who have worked on this project proposal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe project plan shall now be displayed on the State House website and the next step will be the setting up of a committee on Praslin that will review and fine tune the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, this is not a government project but rather one where we are inviting local investors especially from Praslin to come and invest. Let\u2019s hope that in the next three years we can accomplish this \u2018small capital\u2019 for Baie Ste Anne. As a Praslinois myself, I would be very happy. So, in the end, I go home content and satisfied that the country is moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

The accompanying photos show some highlights of President Ramkalawan\u2019s visit to the inner islands of Praslin and La Digue.<\/p>\n\r\n