TROUKLER
PROPAGANDA GONE BAD
STB Chairman, Maurice Lousteau Lallane contradicted himself royally during another propaganda special on SBC TV this week. He started off by trying to justify the acquisition by the SPPF government, in the 70s and 80s, of a good number of tourism establishments on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue by claiming that it was the right thing to do. Since none of those investors who had their property acquired have ever been charged with an economic crime, that was an incredible claim to make. The claims are even more incredible because they are being made at a time when the country is actively seeking new investment in tourism. To top it all off, Lallane goes on to say that during the 10 years when he was responsible for tourism in the one-party-era he had great difficulty convincing investors to come to invest in Seychelles. Did he seriously expect that investors were going to give us a look in whilst his government was showing no signs of stopping their hotel acquisitions, investors were unable to repatriate their earnings amongst a myriad of other problems? Give me a break!
WHO REALLY ARE THE TWELVE MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING COUNCIL (NEPC)?
According to a press report in the Seychelles Nation, Wednesday August 16, 2006, President Michel has appointed twelve members to an Economic Planning Council; their main objective being to chart Seychelles’ economic future.
The board members are; President Michel himself, Vice - President Belmont, Finance Minister Danny Faure, Jacquelin Dugasse Minister for Investment, Industries & Technology, Francis Chang Leng the governor of the Central Bank (CBS), Captain David Savy the CEO of Air Seychelles, Captain Guy Adam the CEO of Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEPEC). The other representatives are Jean Weeling-Lee from Corvina Investment, John Esther of Barclays Bank, K.P. Ho the chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited and finally Adolfo Valescchi the CEO of MW Brands. Ms Caroline Abel, who is the head of the Division of Research and Information Management at the Central Bank is the council’s secretary.
With some of the NEPC board members having ties with Corvina, one has to ask whether they will act independently and in the interest of the country or whether their association with Corvina will impair the objectivity of their judgement. From past experience the interest of Corvina shareholders have always come first. As always conflict of interest and proper code of business ethics and conduct have never been part of SPPF’s vocabulary and for that matter that of newly mandated President Michel.
MARIE-ANTOINETTE ROSE GETS THE
2-SALARY TREATMENT
During the long years of the one-party era and ever since, the SPPF has devised a unique technique of ensuring that it maintains tight control, at all costs, over those entrusted with the responsibility running various arms of the party machinery. In order to ensure they stay faithful to the party, if ever they should fall out of favour, party members are given the privilege of holding two jobs simultaneously: one in the party paid for by the party and the other in some arm of government. President Michel has shown no signs that he intends to change this philosophy despite the fact that he claims to have his own style. In Ms. Rose’s case she continues to hold the party post of Editor of The People as well as proportionally nominated Member of the National Assembly. But the elevation of Ms. Rose to the National Assembly may have a twist to it: Ever since Michel was handed over the Presidency until his election in July, Ms. Rose’s newspaper seemed more like the preserve of Minister (President ?) Designate, Danny Faure rather than Michel’s and was not always too supportive of the President. That has changed for good after Michel’s election. With Ms. Rose taken care of, The People, like the Isola Bella and The Nation are now under Michel’s complete control and there is not much Ms. Rose (or Mr. Faure) can say or do about that!