VP Meriton visits marsh rehabilitation project at North East Point |27 September 2019

Vice-President Meriton and his delegation during the site visit yesterday

Vice-President Vincent Meriton yesterday visited the North East Point marsh area which is being rehabilitated as part of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project, funded by the Adaptation Fund.

The project is being implemented by the Programme Coordination Unit through the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Some of the main rehabilitation works include the removal of waste materials and soils that have accumulated in the marsh over the years as well as the reconnection of the North East Point marsh to the sea.

This will ensure that the houses around the marshes are not inundated during the rainy seasons.

Aside from conducting an evaluation of the project site, Vice-President Meriton’s visit was also aimed at addressing complaints from various residents in the area over the pollution caused by the EbA project.

Also present at the site yesterday were the principal secretary for environment Alain de Commarmond, the site’s project manager Betty Victor, a number of officers from the environment department and the contractors working on the site.

Jean-Marc Baptiste, who resides in one of the flats near the marsh, was among the chief complainants in the area and was also present yesterday to explain his case.

“The soils are just left here on the banks and on the road and this causes dust to come into our homes, particularly when it is dry and windy. Even the vehicles that pass by unsettle the soil and causes dust to rise up. This is why we called the concerned authorities,” Mr Baptiste stated.

He also explained to the vice-president and his delegation that the roads often become too muddy while it is raining and hence many people find it difficult to walk on the road.

Nonetheless, Mr Baptiste said that he is satisfied with the rapidity of the response from the relevant authorities since he had only made them aware of this problem at the start of the week.

On his part, the vice-president explained that the residents should understand that the work being conducted is necessary “because it forms part of the plans to mitigate climate change, and in the end it would be in the interest of and will benefit everyone”.

“We have to explain what exactly is being done here and what will be its outcome so that people can better tolerate the project,” VP Meriton stressed.

In that regard, it was also decided that the environment department and the Office of the Vice-President will hold a meeting with people residing in the area to provide them with the relevant information.

“Not only will they better understand the project but later they will be able to give a helping hand to plant trees and rehabilitate the marsh,” VP Meriton noted, adding that he is satisfied with the details of the project so far.

As for the pollutions, it was further agreed that the present contractor on site will make use of water bowsers to frequently clean the road and ensure that the dust remains settled.

“We urge the residents to not be alarmed during this restoration process even if they see a lot of mud and soil around,” the project manager, Ms Victor, noted.

“We are helping the residents adapt to inundations on the coast. A lot of pollution and reclamation of land has occurred in and around the marsh over the years and this was causing water to inundate the residents’ homes during rainy seasons.”

The rehabilitation phase which is nearer to the houses and roadside, and opposite the home of the elderly is expected to be completed in two weeks.

According to Ms Victor, the restoration work will continue upwards towards the river.

She further reassured that a biodiversity survey was conducted before the EbA project started and that the many terrapins (torti soupap) that calls the marsh their home were relocated on the other side of the construction and will be moved back.

Hydro-geologist Johan Mendez explained that once the project is completed, the North East Point marsh is expected to resemble that of Grand Police wherein saline water from the sea will freely enter the marsh while water from the river will now be able to exit.

It is to be noted that the reconnection work to allow for this is being undertaken in partnership with the Seychelles Land Transport Authority (SLTA) since the marsh is being cut off by roads.

He highlighted that the area will attract many visitors and could even be used as a park.

Meanwhile, the environment department is encouraging farmers and other people who are interested in backyard farming to come collect some of the silt soil being dug up at the marsh for planting purposes.

Silt soil is usually more fertile than other types of soil, meaning it is good for growing crops.