Source: The People

President James Michel has, on behalf of the people of Seychelles, thanked the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and his government for the beautiful gift he has given to the Seychelles. Although it is the Seychelles Coast Guards (SCG) that has the base it will be to the benefit of the country as the SCG has a role to safeguard the territorial waters of Seychelles.

 Sheikh Khalifa bin Al Nahyan has not toyed with his promise to give our country a state of the art naval base which covers a surface area of 30, 000 m2, and is so far the best in the region. 
Proud was President Michel as he disembarked from Topaz to join top officials of the UAE Government, including ambassador Mallallah Mubarak Al-Ameri, also high officials of Michel’s government, which comprised of Vice-President Danny Faure and key members of the SPDF who attended the opening ceremony of the new SCG headquarters. The President was given the honour to unveil the commemorative plaque.
In his remarks, the Commander of the UAE Navy, Brigadier Ibrahim Al-Musharrakh, said the inauguration added another stone to “our mighty wall of friendship”. Spoken like a true friend, when the UAE Brigadier added that:
“We believe whatever contribution we make will definitely result in consolidating the long-lasting friendship between our two  nations”, said the UAE Brigadier, who also said that both countries are cooperating in different venues especially maritime security amid the increased security threat in the Indian Ocean caused by piracy.
Brigadier Al-Musharrakh has also agreed that piracy is spreading surprisingly wider, “requiring serious effort to limit the challenge”, he said.
SPDF Brigadier Leopold Payet spoke a few words for his UAE counterparts. He noted that while it is true that the new base will reinforce the SPDF’s capabilities and extend their outreach, it will also appeal to young  people  to make a career in the maritime domain.
The SCG, as the people of Seychelles would agree, was already doing a great job when it came to repressing illegal activities in Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone, and excellence in their work  will now  double, as they now find themselves in a more favorable environment and furnished with better facilities, which include a new radar system. 
The Coast Guards have also better social comforts at the new base.
The UAE Government has provided a naval base that has a jetty, helipad, command centre, recreational activities, hangar, workshop and mess facilities, guard rooms, living quarters for officers, warrant officers and other ranks, and a library.