High level committee to oversee port expansion project |21 June 2018

The extension and rehabilitation of Port Victoria will bring a lot of benefits to the country, and if the resultant cost saving is passed on to the people, it will reduce considerably the cost of living, Vice-President Vincent Meriton has said.

Mr Meriton made the statement on Tuesday at the launch of a new high level steering committee mandated to ensure that with the help of ministries and agencies, the project is carried out smoothly, efficiently and is delivered within the time limit.

The committee, a link between the government and the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), is chaired by the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Didier Dogley, while the chairman of the SPA, Paul Hodoul, is the vice-chairman.

Its other members are Rebecca Loustau-Lalanne, Sitna César, Emily Mousbé, Annie Dugasse, Patrick Andre, Garry Albert, Wills Agricole, Alain De Comarmond, Patrick Lablache, Joseph François, Franky Laporte and Conrad Benoiton.

Mr Meriton explained that due to the fact that rapid growth has surpassed the capacity of the port to handle the large volume of cargo that passes through it, it is therefore important that it operates as seamlessly, efficiently and smoothly as possible.

He added that the extension and rehabilitation project of the port is by far the largest and most expensive venture ever undertaken by the country.

Mr Meriton also added that Port Victoria is the principal gateway to our country, accounting for over 95 percent of all our imports, therefore, the government is giving its full support to the SPA to realise the project which, once completed, will bring loads of benefits to the country.

Deputy chief executive of the SPA, Egbert Moustache, said once completed, Port Victoria will be among the most competitive ports in the region, as it will accommodate larger ships and expand the services offered.

Mr Moustache explained that the capacity to accommodate bigger ships will prevent transshipment in other countries, thereby reducing the rate of shipping costs.

This, he said, will help to reduce the cost of living, as the lower shipping price would automatically reduce the local market price.

Funds totalling 34 million euros have been generated for the project which is set to begin next year. It includes 12.5 million euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB), 16.5 million euros from L'Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency) and 5 million euros in the form of a grant, also from the EIB.

He also explained that the project has already been tendered out and a target of four years has been set for its completion.

During its first meeting on Tuesday, the committee discussed the inconvenience expected during the construction phase on several surrounding sites such as the ex-Coast Guard base, the Seychelles Petroleum Company Limited (Seypec), the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) development plans and the National Dredging Plan.