Budget for MHILT and affiliated agencies approved |28 November 2017

A sum of approximately R266 million for the Ministry of Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport (MHILT) was approved yesterday during the National Assembly’s morning session.

Given that debate for the department of habitat and infrastructure had been exhausted during Friday’s sitting, it was the principal secretary in the department of land transport, Patrick Andre, who joined Minister Charles Bastienne yesterday.

Also in attendance to defend their budget were the Seychelles Land Transport Agency (SLTA), represented by chief executive Parinda Herath, and the Road Transport Commission (RTC) also represented by Mr Andre in his capacity as acting Road Commissioner. 

The budget allocations for both agencies were also approved by the National Assembly – of which R188,104.38 million was allocated to SLTA and R9,549.59 million to RTC.

Many of the issues raised by the members of parliament revolved around road difficulties being encountered in their respective districts and most questions were directed to Mr Herath.

While addressing a question from Jany De Letourdie, Mr Herath confirmed the existence of a special scheme for SLTA workers responsible for paving roads, in order to ensure the various medical risks they face.

On the same topic, Minister Bastienne added that SLTA has an ambitious asphalt project for 2018 which is expected to be facilitated through the commissioning of a new asphalt plant based at Providence.

Other projects discussed included the Stevenson Delhomme by-pass master plan and upgrading of Fôret Noire-Sans Soucis road, among others.

During the Q&A session, Ahmed Afif also enquired about RTC’s salary increase for 2018 which has more than doubled, having gone from R2 million in 2017 to R4.6 million in 2018.

“The reason for the increase is because the department for public administration (DPA) reviewed the structures for SLTA, department of land transport and RTC. This restructuring resulted into the responsibilities of SLTA being handed over to RTC. This includes the vehicle testing station, highway patrol unit and theory driving instructions,” Mr Andre explained.