Laboratory financed by Abu Dhabi

In collaboration with the Seychelles Land Transport Agency (SLTA), the Ministry of Transport officially opened the Providence Industrial Zone’s geotechnical and materials testing laboratory.

Minister Anthony Derjacques, responsible for transportation, inaugurates the laboratory in the presence of the Principal Secretary for Land Transportation, Patrick André, SLTA Director-General, Parinda Herath, representatives from government and private contractors; and the representative from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, Dr. Asi Ibrahim.

The fully-equipped laboratory, located within the SLTA asphalt plant, is part of ongoing projects on the South and West coasts financed by the government of Abu Dhabi through the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. It will be used to test various types of concrete, primarily asphalt concrete and other construction materials used throughout all phases of road projects.

Once these projects are completed, the laboratory will be used for future works undertaken by SLTA and other government entities. Housed in two separate 40-foot containers, the geotechnical and materials testing laboratory will be managed by SLTA with the assistance of qualified technicians. The implementation of this laboratory cost 132,000 USD.

During the ceremony, certificates are awarded to 10 participants from SLTA, the land transportation department, GIBB Seychelles, United Concrete Products Seychelles (UCPS), Benoiton Construction (joint venture with KSA GIS), and the Seychelles Standards Bureau, who underwent a five-day training. The training focused on the use of laboratory equipment and familiarization with new quality control procedures for asphalt mixtures conducted by Dr. Ibrahim.