A heated exchange broke out in the National Assembly this week between two proportionally elected members. This occurred during a session focused on the Seychelles Trading Company’s (STC) poultry purchases.
The incident occurred during question time as Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Pierre Laporte, responded to questions about STC’s commitment to local poultry farmers. In particular, the questions addressed its purchase of poultry meat.
The original question came from National Assembly member Gervais Henrie.
While answering a series of questions, Mr Laporte referred to the storage capacity of STC’s cold storage facility. He also referred to its role in storing chicken meat.
Following those remarks, United Seychelles proportionally elected member Wilbert Herminie raised a supplementary question regarding the construction of the facility.
“Minister, with all the issues you raised regarding the storage area, I would like to know who was the contractor for the project and who are the people who worked on the project?” Mr Herminie asked.
Before the minister could respond, proportionally elected member Wavel Woodcock raised a point of order. He did this under Schedule 1 of the National Assembly’s Standing Orders.
Mr Woodcock argued that Mr Herminie should declare an interest in the matter. He alleged that Mr Herminie had worked on the cold storage project and received payment for that work.
In response, Deputy Speaker Egbert Aglae, who chaired the session, asked Mr Herminie whether he had any interest to declare.
“I don’t have any interest to declare on this subject,” Mr Herminie replied.
The exchange then escalated into a verbal confrontation between the two members, both on and off microphone.
“Bring the proof,” Mr Herminie shouted across the chamber.
Although the Deputy Speaker attempted to calm tensions, Mr Herminie continued to call on Mr Woodcock to substantiate the allegation.
Mr Woodcock later referred to a report by the Auditor General.
“Mr Speaker, it’s in the Auditor General’s report, his name is in the Auditor General’s report,” he said.
Mr Herminie then took the microphone and said he wanted to see proof. The Deputy Speaker subsequently cut off his microphone.
The Auditor General published a report on 16 March 2026. It was titled Special Audit of the Cold Storage Facility Project by the Seychelles Trading Company Limited (STCL).
The Auditor General’s report states that a structural engineer identified as Wilbert Herminie produced several structural assessment reports for the STC Cold Storage Facility Project between October 2022 and May 2024. The audit also found that it could not locate a formal engagement letter, contract or agreed terms of reference setting out payment terms between STCL and the structural engineer.
The report does not identify the individual beyond the name contained in the document.