From seabird haven to bulldozers: Conservationist Guy Esparon testifies on Assomption Island development |15 January 2026

Mr Esparon during his testimony before the Commission of Inquiry

From seabird haven to bulldozers: Conservationist Guy Esparon testifies on Assomption Island development

By Chelsea Laporte

Conservationist and Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) board member Guy Esparon appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the lease and development of Assomption Island yesterday afternoon.

Mr Esparon, the third witness of the day, began by expressing surprise at testimony from Islands Development Company (IDC) representatives earlier in the week, who had described Assomption as a “wasteland” that cost IDC significant sums to maintain. He countered that this characterisation was inaccurate.

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