HAS THE MEANS TESTING SYSTEM GONE MAD?
The means testing system, it would appear, is seriously wanting in many respects and is clearly failing those who need assistance the most. The main complaint is that it is not catering for the very people it was designed to assist. There are a lot of instances where the most vulnerable and deserving in society are falling through the cracks. It would not be an exaggeration to state that means testing is currently being used, as much else in this country, as a political tool to punish people who are known not to be sympathetic to the SPPF.
However, all is not lost for a slight change in policy would cure the problem if the government has the will to address the problem. For instance, a mother of 6 children who claims that her husband has been arrested and being detained at the Grand Police prison awaiting trial, approached the means testing for relief to be able to feed her 6 hungry children.
Tragically, she was caught in the bureaucratic red tape as she was told to make a formal application in her district for assistance. The lady was visibly in distress and in desperate need of assistance there and then, and could not wait for her application to be processed and a decision taken eventually. The proper course of action to take in the circumstances would have been to approve an interim payment immediately and then carry out an investigation to ascertain whether she is eligible to continue to receive benefits. This is exactly how the system works in
Unless the government is willing to change the system to make it more transparent and equitable the innocent Seychellois children with parents who find themselves at the mercy of hunger and poverty, will continue to suffer and go to bed hungry. This is an issue which needs the urgent attention of our President. We therefore implore President Michel to do something about our Means Testing System! Ansanm, Pour Lanmour Sesel.