President James Michel, the Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, visited the new Military Academy and other military infrastructures being built at Ile Perseverance this morning. The academy, will replace the one at South East Island in order to allow for the extension of the Seychelles International Airport at Pointe Larue.

The President said that this visit represents his determination to improve the efficiency of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces, so that they are able to defend the sovereignty of the nation, its territory and resources.

“I believe we should not only look at Seychelles as a group islands in the Indian Ocean, but to also look at its maritime boundary and its resources. .....We will need more sources to be able to protect them. For example, if we look at the promotion of the Blue Economy concept; it means we will need to see how we can benefit with all our resources in the sea as well as on land. This means that we need to have a strong maritime force in order to defend our nation and territory. Seychelles has a very important role to play at regional level base as well as to promote its leadership in the region,” said the President.

The President visited the construction site where the Government is building the SPDF officer’s accommodation and an outpatient clinic, which are donations from the Government of the United Arabs Emirates. Those projects are expected to be completed this year. The President was briefed about the housings units being built for the SPDF staff as well as the master plan for Ile Perseverance, where projects are either on-going or being planned.

President Michel expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the project. The President also emphasised on the need for young people in the military to be given encouragement to develop themselves, and as well as the need for  central information office for those that wish to find out more about a career in defence after completing secondary school studies.

Editor's note:
• The President was accompanied Minister Joël Morgan, Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Minister Minister for Land Use and Housing, Christian Lionnet, Secretary General of Executive Office of the President, Mrs. Lise Bastienne, Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Clifford Roseline, Commanding Officer of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Lt. Col. Simon Dine, Commanding Officer, Military Academy Major Vincent Luther, Director General, Public Affairs, Mrs. Doreen Arnephy and other officials.

•    The Military Academy building was opened in July 2012, and was a donation by the President of UAE, His Highness Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayan to the Government of Seychelles. The building has different facilities such as classrooms, computer room, an auditorium, offices among others.