Fisheries minister updates assembly on projects in Glacis and Grand Anse Praslin |12 April 2023
The Minister for Fisheries, Jean-François Ferrari, has said that the gear store project and other infrastructure in the Glacis district is expected to start at the end of May this year, and the project is now on tender.
He was answering a question brought by the elected member for the district, Hon. Regina Esparon, who was enquiring as to when the project would start.
Minister Ferrari explained that all the necessary documents for the projects have been finalised by the Seychelles Fishing Authority.
“To prevent us from having different tenders and construction, the SFA management had decided to tender and develop the project in its entirety. That is why it has taken longer to start,” said Minister Ferrari.
He explained that the project will comprise a boundary wall, access way and culvert and a permanent gear store to replace the temporary one. The whole project is expected to be completed within a year and is at a cost of R3.6 million.
Minister Ferrari also answered a question brought by elected member for Grand Anse Praslin, Hon. Wavel Woodcock, with regard to the development of the artisanal fisheries project in that district, which comprises a roof for the new ice plant, gear store, and extension of the quay, as well as desilting in the Grand Anse Praslin channel.
“Tender for a rooftop for the ice plant was underway but the results did not satisfy the criteria such as the number of applications were not enough and quotations submitted were over the amount estimated internally, so the SFA had to relaunch the process,” said Mr Ferrari.
He informed the assembly that the construction of the gear store had been delayed after the engineers had proposed additional work in the building’s foundation. This had to be sent to the Planning Authority for approval.
“Construction re-stared recently, and the project which also includes an office, is expected to be completed in September this year,” he said.
Minister Ferrari added that other projects under discussion are the renovation and desilting of channels, which will be considered in future depending on financial availability.