In the National Assembly   |26 July 2023

Transport minister spends whole day before NA

The South and West Coast road improvement project which started on June 10, 2023 includes the widening of 17.2 kilometres of roads from the Montagne Posée junction to Les Cannelles junction.

Detailing the project in the National Assembly sitting yesterday, Transport Minister Antony Derjacques said it has been divided into four stages: Anse à la Mouche to the Baie Lazare junction, Baie Lazare school to Intendance, near the Banyan Tree hotel parking, the third phase is from Quatre Bornes, Takamaka to Les Cannelles and the fourth is from the Montagne Posée junction to the new road diversion at Anse à la Mouche.

According to the minister the new road will have several benefits such as providing a more comfortable place for pedestrians and vehicles, reduce congestion, as well as prevent flooding as it will be installed with special facilities.

The ministry is currently holding consultative meetings with inhabitants from the region to get their views on the project.

“The biggest challenge is that we need 440 wayleaves for the 17.2 kilometres of road to become a reality. If we do not get the public’s cooperation and that of the landowners, it would be very difficult,” said the minister.

He was answering a question tabled by the elected member for Takamaka, Hon. Terence Mondon, who wanted an update on the said project.

Two questions were tabled by the elected member for Baie Ste Anne Praslin, Hon. Churchill Gill, who wanted an update on the construction of the first Vehicle Testing Station for Praslin, which has already been budgeted, as well as plans to widen and resurface the Anse La Blague road.

Minister Derjacques informed the assembly that the plan has been approved by the Seychelles Planning Authority and tendered out.

He said the ministry is awaiting approval from the Tender Board to start the project.

“Funds to finance the project has already been budgeted and equipment for the station have been ordered and shipped and will arrive in the country in September this year,” he said, adding that the project is expected to be completed within 10 months.

With regard to plans to widen the Anse La Blague road, the minister said the plan is near completion and is awaiting wayleave approval before it is finalised.

Around one kilometre of road is expected to be widened, starting from Ile des Palmes bungalow to the Anse La Blague villa.

“While awaiting wayleave approval, the Seychelles Land Transport Agency (SLTA) plans to repair some structures along that road,” said the minister.

For Baie Lazare, the question focused on the provisions being made for parking space for the public once the West Coast development project is completed. The question was tabled by Hon. François Adelaide.

Minister Derjacques said there are no specific plan in the said project to include a public parking space, however there will be enough space to allow the public and vehicles access to the beach.

“But in the Anse à la Mouche hotel project, there will be space for two public parking lots – one in the Anse Boileau direction and another towards Anse à la Mouche. We believe that at present they will be sufficient for the location,” said the minister.

With regard to work on the Beau Vallon walkway tabled by the district’s MNA, Hon. John Hoareau, the minister said drawing for the project’s first phase was near completion and will be submitted to the planning authority this month. The first phase includes 237 metres of pathway starting from the Baobab restaurant all the way to Beach Shack, which will cover both sides of the road. It is estimated it would cost R3 million.

The second phase comprises the construction of a footpath from Mare Anglaise to the La Batie junction. SLTA is currently seeking permission for wayleave from private landowners. According to the minister if approvals for wayleave are granted, the project will start in October 2023.

With regard to introduction of multi-storey parking to increase parking space in Victoria and improve traffic movement, the minister said the government was looking into the possibility of constructing a multi-storey parking at Stad Popiler, ICCS car park, and Inter Island quay. He was answering a question tabled by Hon. Regina Esparon.

Around 20 questions were put to Minister Derjacques and his delegations from several departments and agencies falling under his purview.

Question time lasted a whole day.

Earlier in the day the National Assembly heard a Private Notice Question from the leader of the opposition Sebastien Pillay with regard to the rules of engagement of the military towards civilians while taking part in operations in the country.

The question was addressed by Internal Affairs Minister, Errol Fonseka.

Patsy Canaya