Work to remove dangerous boulder in Le Niole starts tomorrow |20 February 2024

The area in upper Le Niole where work will start today to remove a boulder, seen as a potential danger to public and infrastructure (Photo: Contributed)

 Two families in the vicinity evacuated

Work to remove a boulder in Le Niole, seen as a potential danger to public and infrastructure in the area, will start tomorrow, Wednesday February 21, 2024, as from 8am.

It was chief risk management officer, Daniel Cétoupe, who made the announcement yesterday afternoon during a press briefing on the matter held at the headquarters of the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), Mont Fleuri.

Also present were representatives of various stakeholders involved in the operation including the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA), Seychelles Police, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA) among others.

The boulder was exposed following the torrential rainfall in the northern region on December 6, last year. It is located right before the bus turning point. Work to break down the boulder will take place every day until 4.30pm and the operation will go on for six weeks until April 3, 2024.

“The boulder is not only posing a threat to the road infrastructure but also to two specific houses in the region and we have taken the decision to completely remove it to avert any danger,” said Mr Cétoupe who noted that a contractor had been selected through the procurement process.

Mr Cétoupe stated that the decision was taken by government based on recommendations made by technicians who saw it as a potential threat for people and infrastructure including houses, roads and water pipelines among others.

He noted that while work is underway from 8am to 4.30pm, the road will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians.

There will also be emergency responses in place, in the capacity of the Seychelles Fire and Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) and a temporary clinic with an air lift facility to assist in any cases of emergency that may arise during the operations, said Mr Cétoupe.

According to DRMD, those emergency responses will be active only during the time of operations from 8am to 4.30pm.

Stakeholders involved in the operation will carry site visits at the end of each day’s work to guarantee safety.

Mr Cétoupe noted that if it is determined that the road cannot be open on a particular day, people will be informed and notified of the status by the police via the public media.

In these particular circumstances, provisions have been made for the population in the area, in order for them to continue with their daily routines, added Mr Cétoupe.

Given that the part of the road underneath the boulder will be blocked for regular traffic during that period, Mr Cétoupe said residents in 60 households in the area, especially those in the two most affected ones, have been informed and briefed about the operation and on the alternative route in place to get to and from their homes.

He noted that people with vehicles will have a designated area to park while the authorities would help them to get to and from home.   

A command post manned by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs will also be set up for people who have any queries during the operation.

It should be noted that people residing in the two most affected houses have already been evacuated.

Patrick Joubert