Latest news with #AntonyDerjacques
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
President Ramkalawan Inaugurates New Motorable Access Road at Dan Lafous, Anse Royale
President Wavel Ramkalawan, joined by Minister for Transport Antony Derjacques, officially inaugurated a new motorable access road at "Dan Lafous" Mont Plaisir, Anse Royale on Friday morning. The SCR 3.9 million project, executed by Dubai Civil Engineering and Construction, addresses a longstanding need expressed by the local community for safer and more reliable vehicular access to the "Dan Lafous" area. The initiative gained significant momentum following President Ramkalawan visits to the community in 2023, where he engaged directly with residents about their transportation challenges. The newly constructed road spans 165 metres in length and 5 metres in width, representing a significant engineering achievement given the challenging topographical conditions of the area. To enhance safety and security for road users, twelve streetlights have been installed along the access route, providing essential illumination for the community. In his opening address, Minister Derjacques emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring no community is left behind, regardless of geographical challenges. He praised the technical excellence demonstrated in overcoming the project's complexities while maintaining budgetary discipline and achieving high construction standards. Addressing the gathering, President Ramkalawan commended the exceptional work carried out to make the access road possible for residents. He urged other communities to assist in facilitating easement access within their neighborhoods to enable further development and foster better community living. The ceremony's highlight was the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially inaugurating the opening of the access road. The completion of the "Dan Lafous" road represents a tangible demonstration of the government's responsiveness to community needs and its dedication to improving infrastructure connectivity across all districts. Also in attendance were Vice President Ahmed Afif, Honourable Member for Anse Royale district Sylvanne Lemiel, Honourable Member for Cascade district Philip Monthy, Proportional Member in the National Assembly Gerard Bijoux, Principal Secretary for the Department of Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine David Bianchi, Chief Executive SLTA Parinda Herath, District Administrator Anse Royale Cynthia Harriba, Ministry of Transport and SLTA staff, representatives of Dubai Civil Engineering and Construction, Dan Lafous area residents, and invited guests. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Behind the biometric curtain: When border tech outpaces accountability
In an era where artificial intelligence and biometric surveillance are becoming the new frontiers of national security, a quiet struggle is unfolding—one not just of innovation, but of ethics, transparency, and trust. At the center of this unfolding narrative are companies like Travizory, a Swiss-based border tech startup, whose recent moves have sparked scrutiny from both industry peers and government watchdogs. Across the globe, from South America to the Indian Ocean, the implications of fast-tracked technology contracts are coming under the microscope. This is not just a story about software and security, it's a cautionary tale for every government, especially in Africa, navigating the allure of digital border solutions without adequate oversight. The Stakes in Kenya This question has come to the forefront in Kenya, where controversy surrounds the management of the country's eCitizen platform—a critical national digital portal that connects citizens and tourists to government services ranging from visa issuance to tax payments. At the center of the debate is Travizory that secured a contract to help digitize and manage parts of Kenya's travel authorization and border management ecosystem. The Travizory contract has created multiple risks: revenue leakage through foreign exchange spreads, personal data subject to Swiss rather than Kenyan privacy laws during the pilot period; and an opaque exit clause allowing Travizory to claim intellectual property indemnity fees if Kenya builds its own system. The issue, however, is not simply about foreign involvement, it is about the legal jurisdiction under which this data is being handled. Travizory's contract in Kenya has been in contention not only because it collected and allegedly withheld the gross revenues owed to the government of Kenya, but it has personal data subject to Swiss rather than Kenyan privacy laws during the pilot period. This revelation has sparked serious concern among digital rights advocates, policymakers, and civil society organizations, who argue that such arrangements undermine Kenya's data sovereignty— the principle that the data of a country's citizens should be governed by that country's laws, not those of a foreign state. Echoes in the Seychelles This isn't the first time Travizory has been linked to questions of transparency and conflict of interest. In Seychelles, an archipelago praised for topping Africa's Corruption Perception Index, the company is the central player in a growing controversy involving the nation's Minister of Transport, Antony Derjacques. The minister, whose law chamber reportedly advised Travizory, failed to disclose this connection while overseeing the company's 10-year government contract with Travizory for managing the country's digital travel authorization platform—a tool that became central during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seychelles opposition leader Sebastien Pillay has called for Derjacques' resignation, alleging a clear conflict of interest. The National Assembly is now grappling with how to circulate the confidential contract without breaching its non-disclosure clauses, raising even more concerns about transparency in public-private partnerships. Why It Matters for Africa For African nations investing heavily in digital identity, e-visas, and border modernization, the Travizory case offers valuable lessons. Technology may be global, but accountability must be local. Governments entering agreements with fast-scaling tech vendors—particularly in high-trust areas like biometric surveillance, passenger data, and border security—must implement stronger vetting processes, conflict of interest safeguards, and ongoing performance audits. This is especially important as African states look to digitize border control, often under tight deadlines and with support from international donors or multilateral partners. The risk? Falling for shiny demos without digging into a company's history, real-world deployments, or local partnerships. The Bigger Picture In a market where companies compete not just with technology but also perception, moments like these become inflection points. Travizory's allegations of corruption in Seychelles, Kenya and others that we have yet to uncover, should not be dismissed as isolated events—they're reflective of a deeper industry tension between growth, and governance. And for African governments watching from the sidelines, now is the time to ask the right questions—not just can this be done, but by whom and at what cost?
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
President Ramkalawan Attends the Official Opening of State-of-the-Art Praslin Vehicle Testing Station
President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over the official opening ceremony of the new Praslin Vehicle Testing Station at Île Eve, Baie Ste Anne, Praslin, marking a significant milestone in the decentralization of transport services and the enhancement of road safety standards across Seychelles. The modern facility, construction of which commenced in 2023, was built at a cost of SCR 15.5 million and represents a major advancement from the previous manual testing system conducted at the SPTC depot in Amitié. The new station introduces cutting-edge automated testing technology, with 90% of vehicle inspections now conducted using state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring greater accuracy, fairness, and transparency in the testing process. The comprehensive facility also houses amenities for novice drivers to undertake theory driving tests and provides accommodation for visiting staff. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister for Transport Antony Derjacques emphasized the facility's broader significance: "Today, we open more than just a building – we open a new chapter in public service delivery, one that brings precision, professionalism, and parity in transport services to Praslin." The facility will serve Praslin's approximately 1,200 vehicles, which form part of the national fleet of 28,000. Beyond vehicle testing, the station will provide comprehensive services including spare parts importation assessments, vehicle condition evaluations for maintenance purposes, and technical assistance to police for accident investigations and spot checks. The Principal Secretary for Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. David Bianchi, highlighted the journey to completion, stating: "Despite challenges including COVID-19, material shortages, adverse weather conditions, and logistical issues, we have successfully delivered this world-class facility after 18 months of dedicated work." He expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering commitment and valuable contributions in realizing the project. In his keynote address, President Ramkalawan expressed pride and commitment of Government in advancing critical infrastructure at the disposal on the community. 'It is an honour for me to officially inaugurate the new Praslin Vehicle Testing Station—an essential step forward in modernising the services we offer to our people. This facility is a symbol of progress and a reflection of our continued commitment to improving infrastructure that directly benefits our communities. Together, we continue to move Praslin and our country forward.' The new Praslin Vehicle Testing Station exemplifies the government's steadfast commitment to building a smarter, safer, and more inclusive transport network that serves the needs of every Seychellois across all islands. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
