SPA launches its training programme for 2017 |23 February 2017

The Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) has started its 2017 training calendar with a first programme for its security staff.

SPA says it is important to start with the security personnel at a time when it is stepping up security measures and additional control on all its port premises.

During the launch of the programme on Monday February 13, 2017 at the SPA headquarters at the Commercial Port, the authority’s chief executive Col. André Ciseau emphasised on the need to be more vigilant in view that they (the security staff) are one of the first security persons on the country’s maritime border. He said that security, health and safety threats know no frontier.

Col. Ciseau told the contingent of security staff present that the main aim of the training is to enhance their abilities and skills to become the eyes, ears and nose of the SPA and the country.

He added that as part of their duties to patrol and keep watch over the port premises, they are the frontline personnel that could detect and identify potential risks and threats related to security, phyto-sanitation and bio-security as well as other hazards that should be reported without delay to the higher authorities.

Col. Ciseau went on to say that security staff must duly keep ample record of situations that they encounter on duty that could be important and useful during investigations or for potential legal cases. The Security Unit should remain ahead of any situation that it believes might arise.

He added that during the course of the training, they must focus and discuss on the various lessons learnt and work towards prevention methods. This should include port access control as well as traffic management inside the port perimeter in view that the port premises are becoming busier with the increasing level of activities.

The training will be conducted over a period of three weeks (for three groups of security staff) and will include theory and practicals for the already qualified staff and also new recruits.

Sessions are being conducted by SPA officials as well as trainers from organisations such as the police, Seychelles Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Services Agency, a former police officer and others.

It is expected that the security staff will come out of the training more equipped with the additional capabilities, knowledge and skills needed for them to better safeguard one of the most important entry points of the country.