June 2, 2006

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SACL SHARES DEBACLE CONTINUES

Sir,

Please allow me a little space in your newspaper to express the disappointment that I am sure many are feeling regarding the sale of SACL Shares.

It is increasingly obvious that if the SPPF government had offered all of the available SACL shares to genuine Seychellois investors, instead of seeking its so called “strategic partner” in neighbouring Mauritius, the Seychellois community would have purchased all the available shares in SACL.

This begs the question as to whether the SPPF government really has the Seychellois community at heart and wants us to invest in our country or whether it prefers external investors. Looking at the vast range of benefits and incentives given to foreign investors, particularly, in tourism, suggests very much, that the SPPF government has little interest in encouraging Seychellois investment, other than mere token investment designed to “bat la tet” in the lead up to the Presidential election.

We are told now that a forth round will be offered which each buyer entitled to a further five shares. It appears that the push given again by the “Seychelles Weekly”, has forced a rethink a second time.  We are also told that there now remains only 22,000 shares remaining. Interestingly enough, we are not being given the whole truth. Before the third round began there were 22,000 shares available from the second sale as well as an additional 22,000 shares that were left among those offered to the SACL employees who did not elect to take up their 350 shares each.

This now begs the question as to why the SPPF government spokesman fails to mention these shares at all. Is the intention to slyly sell of these remaining shares to a few friends once the public process is over after the fourth round or is it their intention to sell the balance to the strategic investor. It is time we were given the full picture.

As a willing SACL share purchaser, who was not able to get even a small fraction of the number of sales I requested (and there are many in my category), I dare the SPPF government to inform us as what they intend to do with the 22,000 shares that were not taken up by former SACOS employees. They talk a lot about transparency, so lets us see a bit of it. TRANSPARENCY WORKS DO IT NOW

Anon.

MY SORE & MANIPAL - A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE

Sir,

The SPPF government made a lot of mileage over its coverage in the media regarding the placement of Seychellois students in India. Despite criticism from many sources that the University was not up to appropriate standards and little was done to assist the students to adapt the SPPF government insisted.

All now appears to be falling apart. Such a pity that “dialogue” never really seems to be the way forward. A lot of talking takes place (one way only) and the community and the unfortunate parents and students are left to bear the consequences.

A small suggestion might be that the government consider fewer students for training abroad, based strictly, upon having achieved a high level of performance at “A” level studies. Those who fail to achieve at least a “B” in two of their three subjects should not be given a scholarship.

This is exactly how the established systems operate abroad. The Universities only offer places to those with higher level “A” & “B” passes, everyone else is placed in a technical college or Polytechnic.

The drive to secure “plenty” of placements only serves to bring in mediocrity and we all lose in the end.

A PARENT

CALL FOR DOG LICENCES

Sir,

A decision by the SPPF government to scrap the use of a dog licensing system in Seychelles a number of years ago, simply because its inspectors were unable (probably due to funding, staff and equipment shortages) to sufficiently police the system.

Instead of fixing up the problem the government simply scrapped it. The situation is now well out of control. We have packs of wild dogs roaming in every district at night.

Almost every Community Bin is left upturned along the roadside daily, with its contents spread widely across the streets. This situation and lack of attention on the part of authorities is clearly unacceptable. There are people now breeding as many as thirty five dogs, in at least one instance.

Some of these are left to fend for themselves. SPPF GET REAL

Name withheld

HEALTH CARE CRISIS

Sir,

As we approach the impending elections the SPPF is moving about the districts giving away all and sundry in the form of gifts, loans etc in an effort to stall the massive swing that is expected against them at the polls.

Large sums are being spent to try to fulfill long overdue promises in many districts, like roadworks, bridges, bus stops, community centres. All these are largely symbolic last minute gestures aimed at blinding the voter to the reality of the crisis they face in somewhat more important areas of life.

As of this week the Victoria Hospital is unable to provide essential x-ray facilities to patients. A key component in both of the x-ray machines is not working. The standby component broke down more than a year ago and the SPPF government has been waiting for forex to buy the replacement spares.

Is this what they consider to be acting in our best interests? Could the money used on painting buses and red roofed bus shelters not have been better spent on providing maintenance to a vital health facility?

Accidents occur every week. The x-rays will not be operational for at least a few weeks.

A concerned health worker