President James Michel visited several areas of the Anse Aux Pins district today, as part of his regular district visits to stay connected with the communities.
It was an opportunity for the district’s representatives to put at the attention of President Michel pertinent issues that need to be addressed and also to be briefed on on-going infrastructure projects. Present for the meeting were the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan, the Secretary of State in the Office of the President, Mr. Barry Faure, Member of the National Assembly for Anse Aux Pins, Honourable Meggy Marie, the Principal Secretary for Presidential Affairs, Mrs. Lise Bastienne, the Principal Secretary for Community Development and Sports Department, Mr. Denis Rose, Acting Chief Executive Officer for Seychelles Land Transport Agency, Mr. Parinda Herath, District Administrator, Ms. Sylvia Stravens, Head teacher for the Anse Aux Pins primary school, Mrs. Inese Oredie and Sergeant Paul Lajoie.
The delegation visited the community centre which requires renovation work and then they were welcomed at the Anse Aux Pins Primary school, by the Minister for Education, Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon and Adviser to the Minister for Education, Mr. Christian Cafrine. The President was briefed on the holes in the existing wire fences surrounding the school compound, where intruders manage to get access to the school as well shortage of security guards which makes the school compound vulnerable to vandalism. The Ministry of Education will be undertaking new works to prevent this from continuing.
The President also toured the construction site of the St. Michel parish church, which belongs to the Roman Catholic mission. He was welcomed by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Victoria Diocese, Monseigneur Denis Wiehe, the priest for the St. Michel parish church, Father Lonnie Adrienne and project officers responsible for different aspects for the construction of the church. To note, this project has been partly funded by the Government of Seychelles. The President was briefed on the architectural and engineering design of the new church being described as a sustainable building by architect, Mr. Brian Changty-Seng.
The delegation then visited the Anse Aux Pins Police station. The President was welcomed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ernest Quatre and the Divisional Commander Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Ebraham Essack. He was briefed about the redevelopment plans for the police station in order to raise its standard and also the renovation work for the police house nearby.
Among the infrastructure projects visited, President Michel viewed the ‘Nourrice road’, Capuçin, a project much awaited by the habitants as it will facilitate their daily lives. The Minister for Home Affairs, and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan explained that this 2 million SR estimated motorable project will be implemented in 2013 now that the district authority has resolved legal issues which were delaying its construction.
President Michel visited several homes and concluded his visit near the the development of Ȋle Soleil. Mr. Barry Faure explained that the final stage of the Seychelles 2020 Presidential Commission is currently selecting the company that will have the responsibility for promotion for developments of the island which has been divided into different developments areas such as hotel, artisanal shops, residential and other commercial sites.
President Michel described his visit to the Anse Aux Pins district as satisfactory and a pleasure to have been able to pay visits to different families, to talk to them and understand their issues in order to see how their living conditions can be improved. He assured the people of Anse Aux Pins that he will continue his district visits and come back to Anse Aux Pins to visit other families.