The comprehensive wastewater and sewage treatment plant connected to all homes in the third most populated island in Seychelles, La Digue will reach completion in July. This project which is one of its kind will use $16 million and is being funded by, the European Investment Bank, the Public Utilities Corporation of Seychelles, and the Agence Française de Développement.
The corporation CEO Philippe Morin mentioned that the plant will get rid of problems of sanitation affecting the island which result from its topography. He added that it will be transformative to the lives of the inhabitants for they have waited for quite long and will appreciate the news that the contract is signed and the construction will begin in early 2018.
The CEO was speaking to media reporters immediately after signing the contract with Technofab Engineering Limited, the company that will be doing the construction of the plant. The company has more than 45 years of experience in such projects in India and several countries in Africa, for example, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe etc. The plant will be situated at l’Union Estate after which about 20 pumping sites will be constructed within La Dingue. According to Morin, the plant is expected to perform at the highest level of efficiency.
As mentioned by Morin, the treated water from the plant could be used for agriculture since the island has a farming area near the estate. The CEO added that the plant will be constructed taking maximum care not to interfere with the ecosystem of the area or the way of life of the Islanders.
Upon completion, the inhabitants of the island will not pay for connection to the plant but will be paying monthly depending on the amount of water a home has consumed. Morin, therefore, asked for understanding and cooperation because there will be disruptions concerning the place and time utility holes, sewer lines, pumping and lifting stations, as well as other infrastructures will be built.
The construction company, Technofab will also be refurbishing the sewage and wastewater treatment plant based in Mahe, Seychelles’ main island on the western side of the Indian ocean. The work will involve maintenance of the pipes and pumping stations where three pipes will be replaced. According to Morin, the endeavor will ensure that treated water is eco—friendly, and the efficiency of the Providence plant is improved. The current environmental threats posed by the Providence project results from frequent breakdowns of the pipes.
The CEO mentioned that although the pumping stations are working at present, their structure is in very bad shape necessitating replacement. Also, they are likely to pose severe threats of breakdowns, discharge, leakages, and overflowing soon.
The refurbishing project will consume $ 11 million and is funded by the same organizations, i.e. European Investment Bank, Agence Française de Développement and Seychelles’ utility company. The vice-president of Technofab Engineering Limited, Dharmesh Varshney, promised that the two projects will be built in compliance with the highest international standards of quality and by the agreement of the contract.
