President Danny Faure visits Seychelles Coast Guard base President pledges to improve staff welfare |05 December 2016

New Commander in Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, President Danny Faure, visited the Seychelles Coast Guard base at Ile Persévérance on Saturday morning and has pledged full support to improve staff welfare.

President Faure was met by a guard of honour as he arrived and at the base where the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Leopold Payet, Chief of Staff Colonel Michael Rosette, Commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard Colonel Simon Dine, and other officers of the Seychelles Coast Guard welcomed him.

Accompanied by the secretary of state for Presidential Affairs Aude Labaleine and other government officials, President Faure then attended a presentation given by Colonel Simon Dine and fleet commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Benoiton. This provided him with an overview of the current situation and status of the Seychelles Coast Guard. In fact the presentation was also an opportunity for the SCG management to highlight the challenges they feel are affecting their operations.

The presentation was followed by a tour of the base whereby President Faure was able to view first hand some of the assets and facilities available at the base, such as the Maritime Operation Centre, the ship station, and a new gym for officers.

Talking to the officers after the tour, President Faure thanked them for the great sacrifice they are making for their country and their defence of the sovereignty of Seychelles.

As the new Commander in Chief, the president pledged his full support to the management and improving staff welfare.

Speaking to the press after the visit, Commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Colonel Simon Dine, expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to brief the president in person on the role and function of the SCG as well as put forward key areas of concern.

The accompanying photos show President Faure on his tour of the SCG base on Saturday.