Christopher Gill’s Corner

The Doctor Visits the Economic Leper

Christophe Gill During the National Day Celebrations for June 18th, this year, the Seychelles had the esteemed honor and privilege to have in our mist the Father of Africa’s premier economic success story: Botswana that SBC and State House played down in order to rub elbows with success, without shedding light on our own failures. It was a diplomatic tight rope walk at best. The effort can be deemed a success only if the State news apparatus, mainly Nation and SBC, are successful at suppressing Truth and remaining silent.

In his visit to State House President Fetus Mogae of Botswana was noticeably uncomfortable with conversions concerning the new furniture and decor. This is not a man impressed with niceties and little luxuries of the nouvo riche. President Festus Mogae is a serious man of serious thought and precise calculation, a talent which has made his Country the Star success of Africa in spite of many formidable challenges. It is his thinking and ideas that has transformed Botswana from being one of the poorest African countries into one of the best investment centers in the World, out performing Asian Tigers and even many European States and former colonizers of Africa. We need to take a better look at our Guest of Honor in order to understand his diplomatic assertions made to Mr. President, while trying to remain polite as he looked at an economic- financial leper across the dining table with champagne and crystal paid for by his People.

President Festus Mogae is a Sussex University and Oxford University educated Doctor of Economics of the highest order. Mogae is a staunch advocate of the Free Market System of Economy. He had been Minister of Finance for many years steering Botswana towards the road of success before becoming President. He retained a high profile positions with the IMF and the Bank of Botswana. He pledged to tackle poverty in Botswana and eradicate HIV AIDS in his term of office. He has made great strides and effort, outpacing mere lip service, unlike our leadership in Seychelles. GDP of Botswana in spite of the AIDS epidemic is $11,200.00 per capita. Economic growth rates exceed 12% like Seychelles in the early years under James Mancham’s period of prosperity. President Mogae is known for running a fiscally sound country. Its external debt is negligible unlike Seychelles, whose debt is preventing us from moving forward at acceptable rates of progress. Botswana enjoys the highest sovereign rating in Africa “A” as assessed by Standard and Poor and Moody’s. We in Seychelles, under SPPF have the lowest sovereign rating of a “B” prior to defaulting on international financial obligations.

The Central Bank of Botswana has 2 1/2 years of reserves of money for total amount of imports it requires to run the Country. We in Seychelles must take out a Bond to buttress our dwindling Reserves at the Central Bank. Our Central Bank Governor does not manage reserves, he manages Pipelines, making sure there are no leaks and he tries to keep it all from rusting day to day, now for over thirteen (13) years old. While Botswana shines under Mogae, we in Seychelles under Michel are looking warn, torn and broken. We are in fact just entering the beginning of an economic down-turn in which Seychellois Business in Seychelles will face extinction while Mr. President’s foreign friends frolic on our beaches, which we will only be able to tell our children how nice those beaches were in our time, before Michel became Mr. President.

President Mogae runs one of the least corrupt countries in Africa, out performing Asian Countries, and European Countries according to Transparency International, the same international organization that ranks Seychelles among the most corrupt countries in the world. I believe it. It has taken me over 15 months now and still pending, to get a Chain Link Fence approved for my Hotel to protect my Guest from thieves. President Mogae must have been offended intellectually to hear of Mr. President’s Two Tier System for Investors. The system favors foreigners and leads to special conditions and special favors under a mechanism called Investment Promotion Act (IPA). We Seychellois become the Beast of Burden of Mr. President’s corrupt system which has made us so famous all around the World. Before His Excellency President Mogae, Mr. President told us in his National Day Speech, that he will abolish this corrupt practice. Again, SPPF make the mistakes.....we the People of Seychelles pay the price. How many Millions in loss revenue it has cost the People of Seychelles we will never really know.

Of course, as I have said before the elections, President Mogae’s currency the “Pula” converts at any time, anywhere in the World. While Mr. Mogae’s “Pula” converts, our Rupee goes into seizure and convulsions, rendering it valueless under the SPPF. In spite of that, Mr. President says it is his policy that the Rupee remains strong. Well Mr. President- make the Rupee strong, we will all vote for you.

As a former Minister of Finance, Mr. President contributed in making our Rupee non- convertible in the World and at home in Seychelles. The Black Market which emerged because of bad policies is starting to out pace his Central Bank policies. Goods are scarce and arrive on selves in irregular timing. His Government cannot maintain a proper economic policy to ensure that basic commodities are on shop shelves regularly. This Mr. President....you do not need a Rocket Scientist to figure out how to do.

The fundamental difference between Mr. President’s Seychelles and his Excellency Mr. President Mogae’s Botswana is this. His Botswana is successful because he has run a Free Market Economy to allow each citizen to maximize his or her potential. Our Mr. President runs a Country that stifles it’s Citizens abilities and reduces them to second and third class citizens in their own country , a little like the old Plantation system if you will, hence encouraging them to leave if they are not happy with failure.

While Seychelles is ranked among the most corrupt countries in Africa, Botswana is ranked among the least corrupt, in Africa and most of the World. Now you know why President Mogae was not impressed with the new furniture at State House!

Long Live All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Minister Jumeau Warns of Global Warning

Last week Mr. Ronnie Jumeau, Minister of Environment in a meeting in La Digue with a visiting Group from Switzerland, at the top of his voice, on SBC, warned us and our Swiss friends of the impending Global Warming crisis. According to Minister Jumeau, the melting of the Polar Caps is underway. If the meltdown does not stop, we can be faced with a six (6) meter rise in Sea Level. If there is a complete melting of the Polar Caps, every port town in the world may be affected by a rise in Sea Level of up to Sixty (60) Meters. The Minister has warned that thais problem is not a problem for just small island States like Seychelles and the Maldives. He asserts it is a serious problem that all developed western countries must face.

Ile Perseverance will Be Below Sea Level

Perhaps the Minister of Environment can comment on development plans on Iles Perseverance in light of this declaration he has made. If the sea level rises to six (6) meters, the Iles Perseverance Project will be under water. Seychellois living there will have to take a submarine home instead of a bus or car. When Mr. Rene thought of this dredging project and SBC filmed him and Mr. Michel looking over the proposed island a few years back, they looked as if they knew what they were saying and looked as if they knew what they were doing, as Rene showed Michel around the proposed project, apparently telling him what we will do here, what we may be able to do there, Michel just shook his head in agreement. Global Warming never came across their minds and brainstorm session as Mr. Jumeau has alerted us. They probably thought the sea level was going to drop because they had envisioned doing a desalination plant just after the reclamation of Ile Perseverance. As our debt burden on the two projects went up and interest payments went up, the sea level would just go down. Then the People in those housing estates would be safe. As usual, SPPF makes the mistakes and the People of Seychelles pay the price for their follies. Education is never cheap but with the SPPF leadership, their motto is “I learn....You Pay”.

Move Prawn Farm From Coetivy To Ile Perseverance

Well, it has not worked out the way they thought it would. In fact, the Sea Level is rising. We are faced with a future wherein the largest Tsunami to hit these shores is yet to come. We have a future before us wherein thousands of people living on shorelines, may be in danger of peril and death. SPPF did not tell us this when they embarked on the Eden Project or Ile Perseverance Project. Today Mr. Jumeau is telling it like it is and the Minister of Lands better get the message: Better Move The Prawn Farm From Coetivy To Ile Perseverance. There will be lots and lots of water there.

While SPPF try to convince us that Minister Jumeau is exaggerating and there is no danger, so we just take the keys to the houses they give out at Ile Perseverance, ask them one question: If Ile Perseverance is so nice, why don’t you live there, and give me the keys to your mansion on San Souci? Besides, Ile Perseverance has a Million Dollar view, right Minister?

Do The Cheapest Dredging Job Possible

Since the dredging projects have been done at the lowest cost possible, the islands dredged were done so according to minimal density requirements. That means that sea level is not far from the coral tops we see. Dig a little and you get sea water. If the tide rises a little, sewer lines will back up, septic tanks will pop and roads will crack. Exposed electrical lines will short. This all makes for a very, very potentially dangerous situation for future residents. If the tides do not get you, the electrical shock or bacteria from backed up sewer will.

Remember Vista Do Mar Residents Plight

Many residents of Vista Do Mar know the effects of Government turning the shoulder to them in an hour of need after a natural disaster. After heavy rainfalls just after a Tsunami three years ago that destroyed a lot of infrastructure in Seychelles, the Government of Seychelles under SPPF management have done little for residents of Vista Do Mar. They were offered a take it or leave it option at Ile Auore, and chose to leave it because of the fear of rising tides and Government’s lack of assurances of being able to provide infrastructure on that reclaimed Island. Many of those families affected by natural disaster have yet to be assisted adequately.

Reshuffle Ministers So We Do Not Drown

Mr. President may consider a reshuffle of Ministers so our People do not drown at Ile Perseverance due to a Tsunami tide in the future. He may consider making Minister Jumeau, Minister for Lands and Housing, remove Minister Morgan, who seems more interested with the view of the area then with the safety of its future residents. Minister Morgan of course, could be moved to Ministry of Finance, since he handles money so well and has proven himself beyond doubt in that field, especially in Bel Ombre in the last National Assembly Elections. He also demonstrated an acute ability at finance with the $4.5 Million spent for Ile Perseverance start-up which today, we have one huge shed to show for it. Good on you Minister. As Minister of Finance, you will show us how to make money. As for the current Minister of Finance....well...he is supposed to become Vice President for 30 days... then President..... for the rest of our lives.

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Imposter Zoro

The Independent on June 22nd ran a Column titled “Tofo’s Column”. The contents of the Articles are eradicate and meant to disparage me and my effort to call SPPF to task. The fact that Percy Ah-Mane used a picture of me which he personally had in his possession, and masked me to look like Zoro the famous Mexican Freedom Fighter, who has been depicted in countless Hollywood films is no error. However, the Zoro in Independent is as imposter. Just like in the film Zoro, the imposter dresses like the real Zoro, uses a mask, and goes about the Mexican Pueblo tormenting its citizens and placing the real Zoro in disrepute with the intention of defaming the real Zoro’s character and obstructing the public’s perception of the good Zoro’s - good intentions. The imposter is a servant of evil men’s deeds. Today in Seychelles, we have the same scenario. Percy Ah-Mane and “Tofo’s” fight is to insure the Communist chains SPPF want us to carry stay wrapped around our necks. We must all be warned to what extent evil men…. Will ply….their evil trade.

It is not my character to hold any grudges against anyone. I do not hate people. It is not my nature to hate. I do not hold a grudge against the Publisher of Independent. In fact, I believe that the Opposition should offer him a job and put his conscious to rest. Where we must Pardon we must also seek to be pardoned. It is in Pardoning that we can move forward and make progress as a People.

Whatever the problems the Opposition has had in the past, be it SNP or DP, these problems today are dwarfed by the SPPF created catastrophe we now face. Mr. Ah-Mane nit picks the Opposition on personal vendetta issues which do not have a place in the life of a Country. To earn his pay packet Mr. Ah-Mane must conduct himself like a brat who could not get his eggs sunny side up and just right to his favor and liking, while the Titanic Ship of State he cruises on, is sinking to the depths of the deep blue ocean in the face of a much serious disaster.

What is important to us in Seychelles today is that we move away from these primary school antics in the Press and in our political life. Unlike primary school when we were told the future is ours, today SPPF has indebted our Country, created a kleptocracy (Government that has a mania symptom consisting of an irresistible propensity to steal – Right Doc?), curtailed our Freedoms, and have destroyed our economy, making our currency valueless. We have no future under the SPPF!

Even Mr. Ah-Mane admits to having to travel overseas bi-monthly to purchase pills and supplies he sell here for supplemental living income in addition to what Dr. Ramados may pay him to publish Independent. The issues we present in the Press are serious issues not worthy of ridicule. But because SPPF is loosing the intellectual battle in Seychelles today, and we Seychellois are speaking out, they will use every opportunity to ridicule, make fun, and belittle everything the Opposition says. Mr. Ah-Mane and the Independent are just one of those tools. There are many. For example, watch how the National Assembly is conducted over the next few months. SPPF will hijack that institution rendering it useless. Our only real safeguard against SPPF abuse of democratic norms will be the Press.

It is the SPPF who hold a grudge against the Opposition when it pursues a course of securing its rightful place in Society and Freedom for all Seychellois. Mr. Ah-Mane’s Article shows that. As long as you take money from SPPF, you are a good person, like Mr. Ah-Mane. As long as you take a handout from SPPF, you are a good Seychellois, like the voters they buy at Election time. If you have an opinion contrary to the SPPF…you are a bad Seychellois. If you do not take a hand out from them… you are a worse Seychellois. When this is the case, SPPF and Rene tell us if we do not like the way our Country is…..leave. Well, we do not like the way our Country is….but we will not leave. In fact, we will encourage more People like us to come back to Seychelles and face you bunch of Communists free loaders, who claim to work hard. Work hard you do…at filling you pockets and finding new ways to steal People of Seychelles resources which could be used to improve the lives of all Seychellois. We who do not like your ways must succeed in spite of you. Seychelles must achieve success in spite of SPPF.

I do not blame “Tofo” for taking money from SPPF. If SPPF offer money…what can “Tofo” do? I blame “Tofo” for lacking the courage to print the Truth and defend Seychellois Liberty at a period of our history wherein our rights are being curtailed once again much like it was the case in the One Party State-Communist Era. Like all scoundrels who do not have any arguments to make, in polished communist fashion, they attack the Messenger and make fun of him. This only shows us in fact, that their economic programs, their Strategy 2017, is in fact an empty promise and their economic programs are bankrupt of any real ideas worthy of debate! They cannot defend their programs without having to act like a bunch of five (5) year olds.

SPPF behind “Tofo” and Ah-Mane are starting to look real small. Just think about it for a moment….Today, France Albert Rene the man of the 20th Century SPPF Seychelles, needs “Independent” for him to maintain political buoyancy in Seychelles in the 21st Century. How low can a guy get after spending 200 Million on two Elections, to get nothing much in return after such a huge expenditure all the while, 35, 000 Seychellois live overseas and cannot vote? My business and political instincts tell me that whatever SPPF may spend on “Independent”, they will not get much in return either.

I take this opportunity to ask the Church to pray for Mr. Ah-Mane and “Tofo”. May the Holy Spirit be invoked to cleanse their hearts of evil, give them courage to fight for our Liberty and not suppress our Freedom to please their kleptocrat masters? May Christian values be their torch in their moment of utter personal darkness as they attempt without success, to break the spirit of all individuals who stand for Freedom and Liberty in Seychelles today.

We in the Opposition must remain open hearted demonstrate empathy to receive Tofo and Mr. Ah-Mane back to the Brotherhood of Freedom-with salary, entertainment account, traveling account, apartment and car of course in his special case, when he has had enough of fighting for a bunch of kleptocrats who use him to clean their dirty laundry and bleach the Truth on the shores of these beautiful islands. In the meantime, be warned scoundrel….Truth has no color….it cannot be bleached….you will not succeed where Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Pol Pot failed.

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!