Seychelles gets new geotechnical and material testing laboratory |09 March 2024
Visiting the laboratory
The Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Seychelles Land Transport Agency (SLTA) has officially opened the Geotechnical and Material Testing Laboratory at the Providence Industrial Estate.
It was Minister Anthony Derjacques, responsible for transport, who officially opened the laboratory in the presence of the principal secretary for Land Transport, Patrick Andre; the chief executive of SLTA, Parinda Herath; representatives from governmental and private contractors; and the representative of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Dr Asi Ibrahim.
The fully equipped laboratory situated at the SLTA asphalt plant, forms part of the ongoing South and West Coast projects funded by the Abu Dhabi government through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
It will be used to test all types of concrete, primarily asphalt concrete and other construction materials used throughout all phases of the South and West Coast road project.
Upon completion of these projects, the laboratory will be used for future work undertaken by the SLTA and other government entities.
Installed in two separate 40 foot containers, the Geotechnical and Material Testing Laboratory will be managed by SLTA with the assistance of trained technicians. It has cost US $132,000.
During the ceremony, certificates were presented to 10 participants from the SLTA, Land Transport department, GIBB Seychelles, United Concrete Products Seychelles (UCPS), Benoiton Construction (joint venture with KSA GIS), and Seychelles Bureau of Standards who followed a five-day training on how to use the laboratory equipment and to familiarise themselves with new procedures on quality control of asphalt mixes conducted by Dr Ibrahim.
The training included the practical use of the laboratory and on the field.
In his address, Minister Derjacques, who gave an overview of the South and West Coast road project, commended efforts to improve the quality of asphalting works by training more professionals.
He noted that given the laboratory has a little bit more equipment than the Seychelles Bureau of Standard for testingconcrete, it will help raise the level of construction in the country to international standards.
“It is expected that they are now competent in the testing procedures and have knowledge of new technologies being used. I want to personally thank Mr Asi from Abu Dhabi, who is with us today and who conducted the training,” said Minister Derjacques, who also thanked the Abu Dhabi government for its continued support.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION, PS Andre said the use of the laboratory by private contractors and other agencies that deal with asphalt concrete and other construction materials will come with a cost.
He said the ministry was still finalising the price and procedures to accommodate them when testing their materials.
Text and photos by Patrick Joubert
