Project Handover of Motorable Feeder Road construction at Anse So-leil and Motorable Access Road at Dame Le Roi, Baie Lazare under High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) Phase-I
The High Commissioner of India, General Dalbir Singh Suhag undertook the Project handover ceremony for the ‘Motorable Feeder Road at Anse Soleil, Baie Lazare’ and ‘Motorable Access Road –Phase 3 at Dame Le Roi, Baie Lazare’ on Saturday 5 September 2020. The project is being executed under the High Impact Community Development Projects Phase-1 (HICDP) funded under India’s grant assistance. Designated Minister, H.E. Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon, Principal Secretary for Local Government Mrs. Marie Celine Vidot were among the guests present on the occasion.
The High Commissioner in his speech said that with this event, the third batch of the 33 High Impact Community Development Projects costing SCR 35 Million (USD 2.5 Million) currently under different phases of execution as part of Phase-1 which are spread across various Ministries and Departments including Local Government, Primary & Secondary Schools and Department of Culture and in fact, across all the 3 Main Inner Islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are being formally handed over. These come as a direct grant-in-aid from the people of India to their Seselwa brethren for their community developmental aspects. It is to be noted that India’s developmental partnerships are marked by respect for partners, diversity, care for the future and sustainable development and does not come with any conditions, nor is it influenced by any political or commercial considerations.
He said that he was happy to dedicate these two projects namely the Motorable Feeder Road project of length 200m at Anse Solei costing SCR 1.486 Million (USD 82,000), and Motorable Access Road Project of length 160m at Dame Le Roi costing SCR 684,665 (USD 38,500) to the local community. These two projects were executed by Seychelles based companies, ‘Mahe Design & Build’ and ‘All Weather Constructions’ respectively and he is delighted to note that these projects have been completed within the scheduled period. There are 33 projects in total in the Phase-1 of High Impact Community Projects being implemented inSeychelles, all using Seselwa labour and material. These projects shall not only generate more employment and business opportunities to Seselwa, but also touch the lives of each and every one of them!Both these projects were taken up on the basis of resolving the urgent requirement for the region transportation and logistics problems. They entailed constructing a standard and motorable road and it includes breaking of boulders; constructing retaining walls, edge walls & drainage channels; back filling and leveling of surface; and laying of concrete surface, apart from constructing bridges. The projects will not only improve the transportation and circulation problem but also be a lifeline for the Baie Lazare community, providing them motorable road for the daily transportation especially for the school children and in case of any emergencies. These projects would also lead to better handling of traffic congestion in this locality. As a matter of fact, these projects will be a vital lifeline for 35 households!
By working closely with the Ministry of Local Government and undertaking these High Impact projects, shall have maximum positive impact for the community as a whole. The High Commissioner further said that he is taking this opportunity to state that the Government of India is already assisting Seychelles in constructing the 3 National Priority Projects of Seychelles including Government House Secretariat Building, new Police Headquarters with forensic laboratory, new Attorney General’s Office all put together costing more than SCR 1.8 Billion (USD 100 Million)!
Apart from this, Government of India would be constructing the state-of-the-art International Convention Centre in Mahe with a capacity of 2000 pax named after Mahatma Gandhi, besides the Magistrates’ Courthouse building which is in its final stages of completion and shall be handed over to the people of Seychelles jointly by the Hon’ble President of Seychelles and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India through video-conferencing.
India is deeply committed to cooperate with its closest maritime neighbor, Seychelles, and work untiringly towards capacity building and development and touching the lives of Seselwa across all the districts and making a positive difference through our humble and noble initiatives. All of such noble works are being carried out in Seychelles, inspite of all hindrances posed in front of both our Governments due to COVID-19. This is the level of commitment and dedication the High Commission of India devotes for the community level project assistance for its best maritime neighbour and friend, Seychelles!
The High Commissioner concluded his speech by thanking the Ministry of Local Government for excellently organizing the event and adding that he looked forward to more such opportunities to meet and greet everybody in the near future.
