Focus on Anse Royale’s ‘second town’ potential |19 July 2010

  
Ms William addressing guests and delegates at the launch of the seminar

A half-day seminar held on the occasion by the Population Unit in the Ministry of Social Development and Culture highlighted the pros and cons of Anse Royale district being developed as a second town.

Taking place at the International Conference Centre, the workshop was attended by guests including Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sport Vincent Meriton, Minister for Social Development and Culture Bernard Shamlaye and Minister for Health Erna Athanasius.

Also present were several principal secretaries, chief executives and representatives of government departments.

Addressing the guests, principal secretary for social development Linda William said World Population Day is marked not only to educate people on population issues but is also a day for us to reflect on the human development achievements and status of each country in improving its people’s wellbeing.

“In Seychelles, our approach to development has always been geared towards putting people at the centre of it,” she said.

“This is the reason why, even through the global economic hardships, social investments have remained a priority for the government to ensure that the most vulnerable groups in our society are provided with quality services.”

She added that Seychelles has met most of the Millennium Development Goals, including education enrolment for boys and girls, alleviating extreme poverty and reducing maternal deaths. According to the Human Development Report from the United Nations, Seychelles is currently ranked 57th among 182 countries in the world.

While it was not officially announced at the seminar that Anse Royale will become a town,
various presentations on the subject were given, for example by Dave Roseline from the Ministry of Land Use and Housing on the district seen through satellite technology.

Therese Gopal from the National Bureau of Statistics gave facts about the district, such as how it has grown from seven parishes in 1977 to 27 “enumeration areas” recorded this year. She also talked about its population density, household amenities, employment, and birth and death statistics.

The Department of Social Development’s Tania Labiche spoke about urbanisation and Anse Royale as a second town. In a comprehensive presentation, she covered all aspects of the district’s potential for transformation and gave those present subjects for discussion, which formed the final part of the workshop.