Mayor of Victoria Presents Vision and Strategic Plans to the President
The Mayor of Victoria, Josie Michaud-Payet, yesterday, Tuesday 24th March 2026, held a high-level meeting with the President of the Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, to present a comprehensive vision and strategic roadmap for the capital’s future development. The engagement was characterised by a constructive and forward-looking dialogue centred on transforming Victoria into a culturally vibrant, historically grounded, and economically dynamic city.
Reflecting on her first three weeks in office, Mayor Michaud-Payet conveyed a smooth transition into her leadership role, underscored by active engagement with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. These include community representatives, development partners, and members of the diplomatic corps. She emphasised her commitment to inclusive governance, noting that ongoing consultations are integral to shaping policies that reflect the aspirations and needs of the wider population.
Central to the discussions was the Mayor’s strategic vision for a modernised and revitalised Victoria. She outlined a series of integrated initiatives designed to enhance urban life through cultural enrichment, infrastructure modernisation, and increased public participation. These initiatives are the result of collaborative input from multiple sectors, ensuring a cohesive and forward-thinking framework for the city’s development.
Among the key proposals presented was the extension of business operating hours beyond 4:00 p.m. The Mayor highlighted that this measure would stimulate economic activity, improve accessibility to goods and services, and contribute to a more vibrant and engaging urban environment during evening hours.
In addition, she introduced plans for the establishment of a dedicated policing unit for Victoria. This initiative aims to strengthen public safety by improving response times and ensuring more effective coordination in addressing urban challenges, thereby fostering greater confidence among residents and visitors alike.
Further advancing her development agenda, the Mayor presented the “Victoria Refleri” Fund an innovative platform intended to mobilise support from private sponsors, stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations. The fund is designed to facilitate strategic partnerships and secure resources necessary to implement transformative projects that will enhance the city’s attractiveness and long-term value.
In response, President Herminie commended the Mayor’s proactive leadership and strategic clarity. He advised that the proposed initiatives be consolidated into a structured and comprehensive framework for submission to the Cabinet of Ministers. This approach, he noted, would ensure coordinated, coherent, and sustainable implementation at the national level.
The President also emphasised the importance of establishing a clearly defined institutional mandate for the Mayor’s Office. Such a framework would provide the necessary governance structure and authority to effectively execute the proposed vision and deliver measurable outcomes.
Overall, the meeting underscored a shared commitment between national and local leadership to drive innovation, strengthen institutional partnerships, and enhance the quality of life for the population of Seychelles at large, as well as for visitors and tourists.
