President assesses former SBC headquarters for temporary relocation of police services |11 July 2026
President Herminie interacting with SBC staff still working at the old premises
As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure the Police Force operates from safe and effective facilities, President Patrick Herminie on Thursday visited the former Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) headquarters in Hermitage, Mont Fleuri, to assess the building’s suitability for the temporary relocation of the Public Order and Tactical Response Unit (POTRU). The unit’s facility at Petit Paris was badly damaged in the December 2023 CCCL explosion.
The President was accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Police Force, led by Minister James Camille and Commissioner Godfra Hermitte, reflecting the collaborative approach being taken to restore full operational capacity for the unit.
The visit follows an earlier assessment President Herminie conducted at POTRU’s current site at Petit Paris, after which he decided the unit would need to relocate temporarily, as the facility was no longer considered safe or conducive for operations.
The delegation was guided through the former SBC premises by the corporation’s deputy chief executive, Nathalie Rose, who briefed the President and accompanying officials on the current state of the building. During the visit, the President also took time to interact with SBC staff still working at the old premises.
Speaking to the press following the visit, President Herminie confirmed that police services will move to Hermitage once SBC vacates the building completely, which is expected by September this year.
He added that, given the age of the structure, its long-term future lies in demolition rather than renovation, noting that the cost of renovating the building would exceed that of constructing a new one, making replacement the more economical option.
The Hermitage building has a long institutional history, having previously served as both a school and a hospital before SBC took occupation of the premises in the early 1990s.
Press release – Office of the President
Photos by Joena Meme