Futuristic coastguard base inaugurated
A shining coastguard base funded by the United Arab Emirates was yesterday inaugurated at Ile Perseverance by President James Michel, in a ceremony attended by top Seychellois and UAE military officials.
Also present were former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, ministers as well as members of the Assembly, police commissioner Ernest Quatre, UAE ambassador to Seychelles Mallallah Mubarak Al-Ameri and other members of the diplomatic corps as well as religious leaders and government officials.
Seychelles Coast Guard’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosette described the base as one with all the facilities a modern naval base would need, noting it has enough berthing space for all the SCG’s vessels.
President James Michel arrived for the ceremony aboard one of the vessels, the Topaz, and unveiled the commemorative plaque which says the base has been presented to the President and People of Seychelles by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Mr Michel – who is the Commander in Chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces – was accompanied by deputy chief of staff of the UAE Armed Forces Major General Al-Mazrouiy.
The chief of defence forces of Seychelles Brigadier Leopold Payet said the base will significantly reinforce the SPDF’s operational capabilities and extend their outreach.
“It will also bring opportunities for young Seychellois who want to make a career in the maritime domain and who are willing to put their country first at all times,” he said.
He noted the coastguard is playing its role in repressing illegal activities and also doing non-military activities at sea, creating a safer environment conducive to local and regional economic activities.
Brigadier Payet welcomed and appreciated the gift, which he said comes with timely asset upgrades ensuring the SPDF is better able to “float and fight”.
Commander of the UAE Navy, Brigadier Ibrahim Al-Musharrakh, said the inauguration added another stone to our mighty wall of friendship.
“We believe whatever contribution we make will definitely result in consolidating the long-lasting friendship between our two nations,” he said.
He said the UAE and Seychelles are cooperating in different venues especially maritime security amid the increased security threat in the Indian Ocean caused by piracy, which is spreading surprisingly wider, requiring serious efforts to limit the challenge.
Following the ceremony, the President and dignitaries toured the new facilities which include a jetty, a helicopter pad, hangar, guard rooms, recreational facilities, gym, workshop facilities for ship repair and maintenance, mess facilities, a library, living quarters for officers, warrant officers and other ranks, offices, general stores, and as the headquarters of the Coast Guard also includes the Command Centre. The Seychelles Coast Guard base has a surface area of 30,000 m2.
President Michel and guests touring the facilities
Deacon Louis Agathine and Imam Ibrahim offered prayers for the safety of the base and those who will be using it.
Source: NATION 11-12-11