New coast guard base ‘will help protect our nation’ - 17.07.2010
Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport Joel Morgan – who also heads the High Level Committee on Piracy – made this statement on Thursday following the signing of a contract to build a new Seychelles Coast Guard base.
The signing, which took place at the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces’ headquarters at Bel Eau, was between the United Arab Emirates naval forces and the contractor, Trojan General Contracting, also from the UAE.
It was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, UAE ambassador to Seychelles Mullala Mubarak Suwaid Al Ameri, and senior officials from the SPDF and UAE naval forces.
After thanking the government and people of the UAE, Mr Morgan said the new project is an important donation as it will help Seychelles protect its exclusive economic zone, maritime traffic, fishermen at sea and the lives of all Seychellois citizens working in the maritime industry.
He added that it will also boost our capacity to detect and prevent activities such as illegal fishing and drug trafficking.
Mr Adam praised the excellent relationship between Seychelles and the UAE – a connection which, he said, is purely based on trust and sincerity.
Mr Al Ameri said his country will continue to support Seychelles in the fight against piracy, which indirectly affects the UAE as well.
The new base on Ile Perseverance, to cost US $15 million, will be equipped with a coastal radar system and radio communication equipment, which will be backed up by radars positioned over several islands.
The site has been chosen because of its strategic position, with an extended view up to the Seychelles International Airport.
Relocation of the coast guard base will also allow space for more economic development in the port area.
The project, which is expected to be finished in 10 months, will be jointly overseen by an engineer from the UAE navy and officers of the SPDF and coast guard.