National Assembly |21 June 2023

Both tourism development and Coast Guard base will be on Assomption

Vice-President Ahmed Afif has confirmed that Seychelles plans to have both the tourism development and coast guard facility on the island of Assumption.

He made the comment in the National Assembly yesterday morning when answering a Private Notice Question tabled by the leader of the opposition, Hon. Sebastien Pillay, who was enquiring about plans to have a coast guard base on the island now that government has approved a tourism development on Assomption.

It followed an invitation by the Islands Development Company (IDC) earlier this month, for individuals and companies wanting to develop tourism projects on two islands – namely Assomption and Coetivy – to come forward and submit their expression of interest.

When outlining the raison d’être for the tourism project, Mr Afif cited an interim report by the Islands’ Committee of the sixth National Assembly presented on August 2, 2020, after a visit to the various islands managed by IDC, including Assomption.

He said that several recommendations were made on the need to have a tourism establishment on the island, which is the closest to Aldabra, the world heritage site, and whose main mission was therefore to protect Aldabra.

“It was mentioned that Assomption should be a stepping stone to Aldabra, and in addition plays a role in conservation,” explained Vice-President Afif, adding that a small establishment should therefore be built on the island “to act as a transit hotel to Aldabra or as an establishment for anyone who wants to visit the island including Seychellois”.

Still quoting the report, he said the Islands’ Committee had also recommended the presence of a coast guard base to fight drug trafficking, poaching at sea and on land in the area, as well as protect Aldabra and respond swiftly in the event of an oil spill.

Mr Afif said the leader of the opposition was a member of that committee and nothing has changed since 2020 with regard to Assomption meaning it still cannot sustain itself.

He stated it costs IDC around R8.4 million per year to manage the island including its runway and other infrastructure as well as workers, and the presence of the existing small coast guard unit.

“For now IDC can provide for the island from other commercial activities by other islands but we would like for Assomption to stand on its own, just like the report says,” he stated.

Mr Afif said a hotel would provide several opportunities including acting as a resting place for those visiting Aldabra, which is not possible today in a commercial way.

“A new establishment means new business opportunities where Seychelles can sell rooms, flights and excursions, even to other neighbouring islands, which cannot be done today as there is no transit point,” said Mr Afif.

With regard to the coast guard base, Mr Afif said it will become more important, because the island being far, it will be well equipped to provide protection to those in the area, while at the same time fighting illegal activities.

The United Seychelles members who intervened questioned the lack of transparency with regard to the development claiming the government had already identified key individuals who would be developing the island stating it was a ‘fait accompli’, hiding in the guise of an expression of interest. They challenged Vice-President Afif to confirm the two individuals were a Qatari and a Maldivian investors. Mr Afif declined to mention any names stating it was not proper as the expression of interest was open until August 3, and it would not be fair on any investor who had shown interest.

“By August 3, if you are not satisfied with the criteria then you can comment at the appropriate time,” he concluded.

Patsy Canaya