SPDF officers receive keys to new homes at Perseverance |04 July 2015

Thirty-six officers of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) and their families will soon move into new accommodations at Ile Perseverance 1 after receiving the keys to their new houses yesterday afternoon.

The Minister for Land Use and Housing Christian Lionnet, SPDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosette handed the keys to the officers in a short ceremony attended by families of the officers as well as senior SPDF personnel and officers from the Ministry of Land Use and Housing (MLUH).

The 24 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units are the property of the SPDF and the officers will occupy them as long as they remain in the force or as they are able to move into their own permanent homes.

Principal secretary for land use and housing Joseph François said often for military service members to  find safe, affordable housing near work can be a challenge and even more so if he or she comes from another island apart from Mahé.

“To alleviate this problem, the government has embarked on a housing programme to help service members of the SPDF to meet the challenge by working to provide housing options for military members and their families,” Mr François pointed out.

He added that over the years the SPDF military housing initiatives have taken many forms, ranging from land assistance, estate built specifically to support service members as well as houses within the social housing programme.

Mr François pointed out that to better help military personnel waiting for a house, the MLUH will soon start ensuring that the officers concerned are enrolled on the home ownership programme.

“Today, the government is taking a comprehensive approach to the solution by providing houses specifically designed, appropriately located to serve our service men and women, and this in itself is a great achievement in this endeavour,” Mr François stressed.

For his part Lieutenant Colonel Rosette stressed that improving the quality of life of SPDF service personnel and their families is one of the priorities of the force’s commander in chief and also the head of state President James Michel.

He took the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude to him for such a vision which provides the opportunity to help the officers regardless of their marital status.

Lieutenant Colonel Rosette pointed out that the SPDF “faces complex and ever changing housing requirements”, adding that there are around 107 officers who are facing different housing situations and who would have been grateful to benefit from such facilities.

“However it is impossible to assist everyone in one go but it is a start and we have managed to help you temporarily but as you move into your own houses you will help others in the same way,” Lieutenant Colonel Rosette stressed.

He called on all the officers to uphold a great sense of integrity, discipline and savoir vivre as is expected of them as military officers and to integrate well in the community so as to command the respect they deserve.

Minister Lionnet echoed the same message and he called on the officers to turn those houses into pleasant homes where peace and tranquility reign.

The project has been funded entirely by the government and has cost just over R17.3 million.