Norman Webber, chief executive of the Island Conservation Society (ICS), has appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the lease and development of Assomption Island.
The commission established that Mr Webber has served as ICS chief executive for six years. It found that he has been involved in the Assomption project from its inception to its current stage.
During questioning, the commission confirmed that ICS operates as a registered association governed by a board of directors. It also established that the Island Development Company (IDC) has a representative sitting on the ICS board.
Mr Webber told the inquiry that ICS receives indirect support from IDC. He said this includes flights to outer islands where ICS has a presence, as well as accommodation and meals.
Turning to the environmental and social impact assessment, Mr Webber said IDC contacted ICS in June 2023 to ask whether it was interested in carrying out the work. The commission confirmed that the communication came from Mr Glenny Savy, who was IDC’s chief executive at the time. It also noted that other consultants in Seychelles could have undertaken the same task.
Mr Webber said he did not know whether a tender process took place. He told the commission that ICS applied through the government in July 2023 to become an environmental impact assessment consultant. After receiving approval, ICS met the developer in October 2023, a meeting attended by Mr Savy. He said ICS then signed an agreement in January 2024. He confirmed that Greg Burke, ICS director of conservation, carried out the assessment.
Mr Webber said the parties did not set a timeline for completing the assessment. However, he said the developer repeatedly pushed for the process to be expedited and appeared to treat the biodiversity study as a formality.
He confirmed that during the scoping process, ICS carried out consultations through three meetings. One of those meetings involved members of the public and took place at Roche Caiman in 2024.
The commission raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest linked to governance arrangements and overlapping roles. Addressing those concerns, Mr Webber told the inquiry: “I think there was a potential for conflict.” When asked by Commissioner Mathilda Twomey whether Mr Savy interfered or applied pressure, he replied: “Not by Mr Savy, by the developers constantly refusing or delaying to accept that these things cannot be done.”
Mr Webber said the developer later expressed dissatisfaction with environmental conditions contained in the assessment. These included a requirement to conduct a biodiversity study on Assomption Island, which he said would take one year. He told the commission that he proposed carrying out the study alongside construction, a position supported by Mr Burke. However, Commissioner Twomey challenged the proposal, stating that it does not reflect best international practice.
Following the assessment, Mr Webber said ICS proposed a cost of 42,000 dollars for the biodiversity study. He told the inquiry that the developer did not accept the proposal.
Mr Webber said ICS believed it would benefit from conservation levies once development proceeded. He added those funds would have supported a foundation set up by ICS, known as the Aldabra Group Foundation.
Mr. Webber told the commission that ICS was later excluded from the process. He said he learned through television reports that the government had established a new committee to oversee the development, involving the Seychelles Islands Foundation, the government and the developer. He added that ICS appealed to be involved but received no response.
Mr Webber also said he was surprised when authorities issued a commencement notice to the developer despite what he described as unmet environmental conditions. These included the appointment of an environmental officer and the completion of a biodiversity assessment. He said ICS informed the relevant ministry.
He further confirmed that ICS reported the death of a land tortoise on Assomption Island after images circulated publicly.
Near the end of the session, Commissioner Twomey raised broader concerns about governance. She described the situation as “very incestuous”, referring to the same individuals serving on multiple boards and influencing conservation decisions without sufficient scientific expertise being present.