Port authority consults new Praslin jetty users |26 September 2011

SPA’s chief executive Lieutenant Colonel Andre Ciseau started Friday’s meeting with a presentation about the project on Eve Island where the jetty is being built.

He said most of the goods such as food items and construction material taken to Praslin and neighbouring islands land on the present jetty which at the moment handles an annual 800,000 passengers and is therefore “crowded to catastrophic proportions”.

He said the new jetty’s economic contribution to the islands will “surely increase with more private investment in the passenger transportation currently being done”.

Lt Col Ciseau said the larger port will offer new business opportunities, adding the new passenger terminal will have businesses like a restaurant, internet café, ATM machines, money changer and kiosks for local artisanal vendors and car hire operators among others.

Warehouses being built will be accessible both day and night, helping cargo owners store their goods at will and plan their trips more easily.

“The new Praslin jetty will benefit businesses and Praslinois in general, making their livelihood easier with obvious spill over into the economy of Praslin and Seychelles in general,” said Steve Pointe of the SPA’s business development section.

Mr Ciseau said the cargo part of the jetty is already in use and the passenger facilities should be commissioned before the end of the year.

He said the development will include dredging that will create a 100-metre radius zone that will ensure safe manoeuvering of vessels.

“The new passenger and cargo facilities at Eve will make way for the transformation of the existing Baie Ste Anne jetty into a modern waterfront tourism facility,” he said.

The next meeting – with passenger ferry operators – is due to take place tomorrow at the SPA at 10am.

Officials said the meetings are aimed at strengthening “the good working relations between the SPA and other maritime related stakeholders on Praslin and to give information on cargo operations on the new jetty such as layout and setting up of cargo logistic supports.

The SPA also wants feedback from users on the proposal, and Mr Ciseau said the partners on Friday offered valuable ideas which will be incorporated in the development.

Boat owners interviewed said they will be happy to pay some fees for using the new facility, which they said will greatly ease their work.