President James Michel visited several places in Victoria today to appraise the orientation of on-going as well as proposed new developments projects which form part of the government’s plan to develop the capital city of Seychelles.
The President stated that the visit had given him a better insight into how the Victoria will be redeveloped, the changes that these re-developments will bring about and the importance of keeping the traditional aspects of the buildings being renovated and honouring their history.
“It was an opportunity for me to see for myself the on-going developments in Victoria, and at the same time get to know more about the new developments that will be taking place and also to see how we can manage those new constructions and developments to ensure that they do not spoil our town and that they fit in the concept of developing Victoria as well as preserving its environment, its culture and tradition. It is vital that we maintain the historical buildings the way they were and reinstate those whose original features have been distorted,” said President Michel.
The visits were conducted at the former Appeals Court building which is to be converted into the Mayor’s Office, the former Supreme Court building, which is to be converted into the National History Museum, the Information Office of the Seychelles Tourism Board and an open air restaurant offering various aspects of traditional cuisines. They also toured the 1st phase of the renovation being done on Independence House and were apprised of the proposed plan for a new building, the traffic management projects, the family fun park, the bus terminal renovation and the Île Du Port where a series of projects are being planned.
President Michel highlighted the importance of beautifying Victoria and has called upon the Ministry of Environment and Energy to intensify its efforts in making the city more attractive, comfortable and a pleasant place for both Seychellois and tourists.
“I believe that all those developments are important in order to make our capital city one that makes us proud and it also brings along economic as well as employments opportunities that will bring wealth to Seychelles. The government will continue its partnership with the private sector in realising those new developments in our small city and I once again wish to call upon the Ministry of Finance to make accessible credits for small businesses so that they can participate in those developments that will be taking place,” said the President.
As part of the new extension to the city of Victoria, President Michel said that the developments taking place at Île Du Port will transform it into an important and upmarket area, a beautifully developed and landscaped area with a more modern architecture such as the newly built National Assembly and Palais de Justice as well as facilities that the city will need as it develops. The land use plans along the Île Du Port road consist of a series of projects such as the Magistrates Court, the SPTC depot, scouts headquarters, new Embassies and others.
President Michel stated that he was aware of the constraints faced by certain ministries and government agencies are in delivering the services required and delivering the projects on time, and he called upon them to plan efficiently their projects and to work into close collaboration with one another on order to avoid unnecessary expenses and delays.
Editor’s Note:
• The President was accompanied on the visit by the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan, the Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet, the Minister for Land Use and Housing, Mr. Christian Lionnet,, the Secretary General of the Executive Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne as well as officials from his office and other Ministries/ Agencies.
• 1st phase of the renovation on the Independence House building started in 2011 at Lands and Survey Department. It then shifted to the main lobby area on the second floor, the Secretariat of the Minister, the ex-labour department wing, which will house the Registration Division including the lobby area on the first floor. Works have also reached completion at the Planning Desk. The works will continue up to end of next year to complete the whole building subject to availability of financing.
• The traffic management project which has to do with the city of Victoria consist of the Victoria bypass: This project proposes the linking of a route from the north (starting at La Retraite) to Victoria via the newly reclaimed Islands on the east coast, with a further extension for a bypass road parallel to the ‘5th June Avenue’ to link to Boise De Rose at its southern exit point. Additional lanes: A partial third lane is to be added to Francis Rachel Street and to the 5th June Avenue. Signalisation of junctions: Traffic lights will be introduced at the Palm Street/5th June Avenue junction and the Manglier St/5th June Avenue junction. Proposal to ease traffic congestion in Victoria.
• The family fun Park will stretch from the area behind the Peace Park, along ‘La Promenade’, up to the area behind the English River secondary school, including the open field between the Peace Park and the mini stadium. The project started towards August 2013 expects to be fully completed towards beginning of December 2013.
• The re-roofing of the Victoria Bus Terminal has started and is expected to be completed by the end of this year if not early January 2014.The second part of development of the Victoria Bus Terminal which will take place later on is the extension phase to protect commuters from sun and rain.