President Faure stops over at Air Force, Anse Royale hospital and CBS |02 December 2017

President Danny Faure continued his series of visits to various institutions yesterday at the Seychelles Air Force, Anse Royale hospital and the Central Bank of Seychelles.

The President arrived at the first venue, the Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Air Wing located near the International Airport at Pointe Laure, early yesterday morning accompanied by members of his delegation.

It is the first time that the President ‒ also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces ‒ visits a military base since entering office.

At the Air Wing, President Faure received a presidential salute from the guard of honour led by Second Lieutenant Stan Tomking and was greeted by SAF Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pouponneau and the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Leopold Payet and Lance Corporal Norris Souris.

Aside from a presentation on SAF and an exchange with the heads of military, the President met some of the 60 or so military and civilian personnel at the base and inspected SAF’s current inventory of aircraft.

Lt. Col. Pouponneau confirmed to the Seychelles NATION that the air force is expecting a new Dornier aircraft to join its existing fleet composed of a White-12 used for transportation of troops; a Twin Otter for middle range maritime patrol and surveillance; and a Dornier 228 used to carry out intelligence and reconnaissance exercises.

SAF is one of the branches of Seychelles People’s Defense Force (SPDF), alongside the Coast Guard and army units. Considered as the military’s “eyes in the sky” the air force actively patrols local waters and, in particular, plays an important role in piracy, illegal fisheries and maritime crime surveillance.

The unit’s main challenge is the lack in hangar space and dormitories among other facilities, largely due to an expanding air force.

“SAF is the fastest growing unit in the defence force hence it needs more facilities to operate comfortably,” Lt. Col. Pouponneau stated.

The President also appraised the pilot room, the advanced softwares in the Imagery Intelligence Cell and the aircraft stores.

Once the tour ended, the presidential cortege headed south to the Anse Royale hospital where the President was met by high officials of the ministry and received a guided tour of the medical facilities including the physiotherapy unit, dental unit and pharmacy.

To commemorate the World’s Aids Day, celebrated every year on December 1, President Faure also took the opportunity to take part in the hospital’s HIV rapid testing.

The Minister for Health, Jean-Paul Adam, three students from educational institutions located at Anse Royale and two police officers also joined the President in knowing their HIV/Aids status.

Thelma Reginald, the nurse manager for Anse Royale, Baie Lazare and Takamaka, informed the press that the rapid testing has become an important feature of the World Aids day wherein the Anse Royale hospital averages around a 100 participants annually.

“The hospital is taking the opportunity to sensitise people about HIV/Aids today and this includes the rapid testing. We hope to receive a decent turnout before the day ends,” Ms Reginald added.

Following this, President Faure rounded off his visits at the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS)  where he was given a tour of various sections such as the financial market division and human resource department by the Governor of CBS, Caroline Abel, and members on the board of directors.

While addressing a large portion of the administrative personnel, President Faure congratulated the staff on their hard work.

The visit coincided with the 39th anniversary of CBS, founded on December 1, 1978 under the Seychelles Monetary Authority Decree.

On this occasion, President Faure said: “I think it is important we share the success story of CBS for the last 40 years, and this should be known by the population. The citizens are very far from the bank and yet the bank is very close to our citizens because it is through the rupees and cents in our pockets that the connection is made.”

“The bank also plays an important role in the reserve of the country. We have already surpassed $550 million and this shows there has been good work done on the part of the board, management and staff,” he continued.

In a meeting which followed, Governor Abel informed the press that one of the bank’s greatest achievements so far is the establishment and maintenance of a stable economy.

“Central Bank has been a key player in the country’s economic reforms. We participated in all the stages and will continue to do so, because we want to see a growing, health and thriving economy,” Governor Abel proclaimed.

She also said that CBS needs to increase its visibility and educate the public on a central bank’s role in the financial environment.

Asked about the bank’s plans for the future, the Governor stated that the bank is looking towards a long-term strategy to build human resource capabilities for the local financial sector through the introduction of a scholarship, as of next year.

“We have a noted a lack of professionals and experts in the financial field, and we decided that this was the best way to develop these professionals, not only for our own benefit but for other financial areas as well.”

CBS is expected to provide further details on the scholarship in the first quarter of 2018.