The Qatar-based company Assets Group, which is developing the hotel project on Assomption Island, has agreed to carry out a one-year biodiversity assessment on the island.
The commitment was announced on Monday, 2 February. It was made by the established task force chaired by the Minister for Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources, Marie-May Jeremie.
The developer, Assets Group, has also agreed to fund the study and provide the resources required for the assessment, according to the minister.
She said a substantial budget would be allocated to the Seychelles Island Foundation to conduct the biodiversity work.
“They have committed to putting in place all necessary biosecurity measures, including the construction of infrastructure needed to implement these measures on the island,” Minister Jeremie said.
She added that the developer has also committed financial support for eradication programmes targeting invasive species, including cats and rats.
According to the minister, these measures are important as they could contribute to securing a protection status for Assomption Island.
Minister Jeremie confirmed that the developer has now submitted outstanding documents. These include an updated environmental management plan, a construction management plan, and a plan to repair the jetty.
She said the jetty repair plan was a condition of the environmental impact assessment. It is intended to address environmental concerns linked to barging activities on the beach.
In addition, the developer has submitted plans for nursery work and species relocation. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the Island Development Company.
Minister Jeremie said the task force’s mandate is to ensure that all commitments are honoured before the development notice is reviewed.
She said the government may review the notice to allow the developer to address specific measures. However, a final decision will only be taken once those measures are completed.
She stressed that the announcement does not mean the development will proceed, particularly in its current form.
She said the biodiversity assessment will determine the scale of any future development.
The task force said it has inherited a complex situation following decisions taken by a previous government. It is now assessing how best to manage the circumstances.
Minister Jeremie said the developer may choose not to continue with the project if dissatisfied with the outcomes. She said this decision would not necessarily depend on the task force.
Her comments referred to the ongoing commission of inquiry into the Assomption Island development, chaired by Senior Judge Mathilda Twomey.
The deputy chairperson of the task force, Dr Jivan Shah, who is also a special adviser to President of Seychelles Dr Patrick Herminie, said the developer is aware of the risk of losing its investment depending on the government’s final decision.
“The size of the project, as approved, should not have been allowed for Assomption, given its proximity to Aldabra,” Dr Shah said.
He added that it was not appropriate for a new government to inherit such a situation.
“We should never be in a position where large-scale projects are approved and a new administration must mitigate possible wrongdoing,” he said.
When asked whether the developer had indicated any intention to reduce the scale of the project, Minister Jeremie said such discussions had not yet taken place.
She said current discussions focus on meeting the existing conditions of the approved development.
Minister Jeremie said the final decision on the project will be taken at a higher level, with consideration given to financial and legal implications, as a contract has already been signed.
Addressing criticism from Friends of Aldabra regarding the composition of the task force, Dr Shah said the group includes institutions previously involved in the project to ensure a full understanding of the situation.
He said bringing these organisations together was necessary.
“Government must take responsibility. We cannot transfer that responsibility to others to avoid public criticism over competence,” Dr Shah said.