Cabinet resolutions |11 October 2013

New public leisure area on the cards

A new project is being worked on to provide a place where motorists and friends can unwind after work or at weekends in a secure and leisurely atmosphere.

This came to light following the announcement yesterday that the Cabinet of Ministers has set up a working group for the promotion of leisure facilities in the country.
 
The working group comprises Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange, Minister for Land Use and Habitat Christian Lionnet, as well as key stakeholder organisations.

According to a communiqué from the Office of the President, the working group is currently focused on a leisure project at the Saint Anne jetty area at Roche Caiman which is being financed by the Government of Seychelles.

“This area will be demarcated, fenced and will have lighting to allow motorists and friends to unwind during the weekend in a secure and leisurely atmosphere,” said the communiqué.

“The facilities will include a parking area, a large wide TV screen for sports and entertainment programmes, sanitary facilities and kiosks,” added the communiqué.

The Ministry of Land Use and Housing is currently installing the infrastructure and is expected to complete the work by the end of November. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture will outsource the management of the facility.

Another resolution passed by the Cabinet is the revision of the transport policy for La Digue. Among other decisions taken, it has approved a proposal for the increased use of electric 'golf' cart vehicles for tourism establishments on that island.

All tourism accommodation establishments will now be able to apply for an electric golf cart, to provide a transfer service for their clients to and from the jetty.
 
The number of golf carts that a hotel may be permitted to operate will depend on the volume of client-transfers required by that hotel.

The government will put a cap on the maximum number of electric golf carts on La Digue once the demand for transport has been fully assessed.

A transport officer will be appointed to regulate the use of the vehicles on the island. Traffic sign boards will also be introduced.

This policy review follows numerous complaints by tourism operators on La Digue that existing taxi services are insufficient for the demand of tourists, with many being left without a mode of transport on arrival at, or departure from, the island.

The electric golf carts form part of a long-term plan to phase out all fuel-dependent vehicles on the island as part of the Seychelles2020 vision to turn La Digue into the eco-capital of Seychelles.

Other measures of the new policy will be announced shortly by the Ministry of Home Affairs & Transport.