Seychelles President James Michel has opened the Providence Fishing Port at the Providence Industrial Estate in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan to Seychelles, Mr. 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 is an US$11.52 million project, which was financed by the government of Japan.
The President thanked the government and the people of Japan for making this project possible, which he said would greatly aid the Seychelles economy.
“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 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 President Michel.
The second phase of the Providence Fishing Port will be developed in partnership with the private sector. This 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 new fishing port has a 110-meter-long quay, with a 2.5-meter 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, and a loading-unloading shed, as well as an administrative building. The government of Seychelles provided the reclaimed land for the port, constructed a road to the port, and also dredged the channel and the port area.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- The government of Seychelles provided the reclaimed land for the port, constructed a road to the port, and also dredged the channel and the port area.
- 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.
- Japan is an important partner in the fisheries sector and helped us a lot in artisanal fisheries in the past.
