President opens US $12m fishing port at Providence

President James Michel on Saturday opened the Providence Fishing Port in the presence of the Japanese ambassador Shigeo Iwatani, former President James Mancham, government ministers and other dignitaries.

The event was also attended by fishermen as well as representatives of port-based agencies.

The artisanal fishing port cost US $11.52 million and was financed by the Government of Japan.

Mr Michel said the project will greatly help Seychelles economy and thanked the government and people of Japan for making it possible.

“I am very proud of this project.  I think it is an impressive project and this is the result of an active cooperation between Japan and Seychelles. Japan is an important partner in the fisheries sector and has helped us a lot in artisanal fisheries in the past. This new fishing port will help us a lot as our fishermen will have the facilities to develop their operations. I spoke to some fishermen today and they are very happy with the new port facilities,” said Mr Michel.

The second phase of the Providence Fishing Port will be developed in partnership with the private sector. It will include a fish processing plant that will comply with the European Unions phytosanitary standards.

“The second phase of the project will really invigorate the fishing industry as fishermen are able to create value-added products. I can reassure you that the government will continue to provide all the necessary facilities to fishermen so that they can catch the fish and create wealth in the sector.”

The Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport Joel Morgan said the port has a breakwater that makes the port safe for use throughout the year.

He said the new fishing port has a 110-metre long quay, with a 2.5-metre water draft in the access channel and alongside the quay.

Facilities at the port include navigational aids, an ice-making plant, a blast freezer for fish storage, gear stores, electricity points, a loading-unloading shed as well as an administrative building, he said.

He added that Seychelles government provided the reclaimed land for the port, built a road to the port, and also dredged the channel and the port area.

Ambassador Iwatani thanked all those who have contributed to the completion of the project.
He said Japan and Seychelles have a lot in common despite the big distance between the two countries.
“We are both very small, mountainous island nations lacking in natural resources but rich in marine fishery resources and beautiful nature,” he said.

He said people in his country enjoy tuna from Seychelles because there are many Japanese fishing vessels operating in Seychelles waters.

Mr Iwatani said Japan was honoured to receive President Michel when he attended the Fourth Tokyo International Conference for African Development last year, adding through such visits and projects like the Providence and the earlier opened Bel Ombre ice-plant help boost relations between the two countries.

Beatty Hoareau from the Fishing Boat Owners’ Association said the artisanal fishing sector is important for the country and the new port will greatly help fishermen.

“This new port will bring much-needed relief to our fishing community who are happy to note it has modern navigational aids and other equipment as well as excellent on-shore facility which will help us add value to our fisheries,” he said.

He said the port offers new opportunities to entrepreneurs wishing to venture into the fishing industry who will be able to use the facilities to make quality products.

Forrás: http://www.seychellesweekly.com/July%204,%202010/pol3_president_opens.html