Inauguration of the St. Louis Hill Stabilisation Project Marks a New Chapter in Disaster Risk Management
The Ministry of Internal Affairs officially inaugurated the St. Louis Hill Stabilisation Project on Friday 27th June 2025, during a ceremony held at the St. Louis Community Centre. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, together with the Minister for Lands and Housing, Mr. Billy Rangasamy, and the Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Ms. Rose-Marie Hoareau. Also present were senior officials, technical partners, and members of the local community.
The St. Louis Hill Stabilisation Project was launched in direct response to the devastating rains of December 2023, which caused widespread slope instability in several parts of Mahé. The St. Louis area, identified as one of the most vulnerable zones, was prioritised for intervention to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, highlighted the government’s continued efforts to address high-risk areas across the country. He underscored the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and strengthening national capacity to respond to climate-induced hazards.
A standout feature of this project was the integration of advanced stabilisation techniques, introduced following a technical training mission to Switzerland in March 2025. A multidisciplinary team of Seychellois professionals from the Department of Risk and Disaster Management, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency, Planning Authority, and PetroSeychelles benefited from the mission and applied the acquired knowledge directly to the St. Louis project.
The inauguration not only marked the completion of a vital infrastructure initiative, but also celebrated the collaboration between institutions and the growing technical expertise within the country. The project serves as a model for future interventions in other landslide-prone areas across Seychelles.