VICTORIA, Seychelles — The island of Praslin now has its own state-of-the-art Vehicle Testing Station (VTS), which will not only test vehicles, but offer a wide range of other services. The VTS on Ile Eve is located next to the site where the new Seychelles Public Transport Corporation’s (SPTC) bus depot will be constructed and opposite the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Praslin station. It was President Wavel Ramkalawan and Transport Minister Antony Derjacques who officially opened the new facility yesterday morning in a ceremony attended by Minister for Lands and Housing Billy Rangasamy, members of the National Assembly, key government officials and VTS staff.
In his opening remarks, Minister Derjacques said the Vehicle Testing Station is more than just a building. It is a new chapter in public service delivery; one that brings precision, professionalism and parity in transport services to Praslin. ‘This modern facility is the latest milestone in a long journey of improving vehicle safety in Seychelles. Vehicle inspections were once conducted manually at the Mont Fleuri police station, and later in a more structured way at the Vehicle Testing Station on Mahé, which was officially opened in April 1996,’ he said. ‘Over the last two decades, vehicle inspections on Praslin were carried out manually, once a week, at the SPTC depot located at Amitié.’
Minister Derjacques pointed out that this development is significant for Praslin, which today has approximately 4,500 vehicles, part of a growing national fleet of 19,000. ‘As we decentralise services, we must also empower citizens with responsibility. With improved technology, we anticipate that more vehicles may initially fail inspection not because the system is harsher, but because it is more precise,’ Minister Derjacques added. Vehicle owners must therefore take a more proactive role. Regular maintenance is no longer optional, it is essential. The new facility is expected to bring greater consistency, accuracy and convenience to vehicle inspections on the island.
