Assomption Island Resort Project Raises Environmental Concerns

VICTORIA, Seychelles, A public scoping meeting was held on Saturday at the Roche Caiman community centre for the Assomption Island Resort project. People from various organisations, strata of the community including youth attended the meeting, which was organised to present the project proposal and to gather feedback from the public. The meeting provided an important opportunity for community members to understand the scale and scope of the proposed development before any formal decisions are taken.

The project was introduced by Jad Rizk and Jahir Raihan from Ocean Breeze Investments, with architectural input from Wilhelm Pretorius and Howard Dembo of Highness Consulting. Green Island Construction Company, represented by Glenny Savy, serves as the civil contractor, while ATOM Engineers, represented by Michel Savy, provides structural engineering expertise. The environmental review of the project is being led by the Island Conservation Society, working with a team of specialists including Norman Weber, Greg Berke and Emma Mederic. The breadth of the team reflects the complexity of the project and the need for specialist input across multiple disciplines.

Presenting the project to the public, Mr Raihan from Ocean Breeze Investments stated that the outlined plans for a resort spanning 57,000 square metres will comprise 41 keys. Accommodation will include 26 single-bed rooms, eight to nine two-bed rooms, seven three to four-bedroom units, and one five-bedroom unit. Additionally, the resort will feature five restaurants, a spa, and a stable housing 10 to 12 horses, exclusively available for guest experiences under supervised riding. If everything goes well, once the building permit is received, the project will start, explained Mr Raihan.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding biosecurity measures and infrastructure provisions, such as electricity and water distribution on the island. Mr Savy confirmed that, like any other islands that are managed by the Islands Development Company, services such as the airstrip, shipping, sewage, waste management, electricity, water, will be supplied by IDC. He noted that IDC will also operate the jetty and maintain the roads, while treated sewage water will be used for toilets, firefighting and irrigation. Fresh water for consumption will be desalinated as Assomption gets only 15mm of rain per year.

Nanette Laure, director general for Waste Enforcement and Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, explained that large-scale projects such as hotels or any other big development that will have great impacts on the environment require a thorough assessment. She noted that Assomption is a vulnerable island and the public should voice out their concerns. The meeting ended with the consultant to be appointed set to submit a report that will be circulated with the developer, marking the last step of the assessment process. The project is expected to host approximately 300 staff and 150 guests once operational.