Japanese minister satisfied with projects funded by his country |04 August 2015

The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi has said that he is satisfied with the way local projects financed by his country through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) have been implemented.

He made the declaration after visiting two of the projects yesterday afternoon.

Minister Kiuchi first visited a storm water outlet in the Au Cap district. He was briefed on the functions of the outlet by the coordinator for Climate Adaptation and Management Jean-Claude Labrosse and civil consultant Lemmy Payet.

The minister was satisfied that the structure permits a better flow into the sea of the St Roch River and prevents flooding of the Au Cap plateau during heavy rains. According to Mr Labrosse, it has also helped to prevent erosion of the Au Cap beach.

Two other similar projects, one for beach nourishment at North East Point and the other to help sand retention on La Digue, have been realised with Japanese funding.

Minister Kiuchi then visited the Providence Fishing Port in the company of the deputy chief executive of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) Ron Clarisse and project officer Juan Marimba. Other than the port, Japan has also financed its accompanying facilities including ice plants, cold stores and administration building. Japanese experts have also been recently involved in the maintenance of the ice plants.

Japan is equally expected to finance the second phase of the Providence Fishing Port project which will be an extension of the port.

Minister Kiuchi has commented that he was here not only to see the work done, but also its effect on the people.