November 17, 2006

Onions! Onions! Oh, Giveth more Onions!!!!

This week SMB released a consignment of Onions to merchants around the country and all hell broke loose.  This came after this paper has accused President Michel of breaking his election promises and highlighted the plight of the ordinary Seychellois families and the tourism establishments due to a persistent lack of basic foodstuff and commodities in the shops.  Indian merchants were heard to be complaining that last week they were being given a ration of one bag of onions each and this week the ration has been increased to five bags each only.

Scuffles also developed in the SMB supermarket and the fruit and vegetable division. Tempers flared up amongst the merchants pushing and shoving to get some onions.  It has now become frequent for people to swarm in like bees whenever a basic commodity suddenly becomes available on the local market after a lull.  Supersave was the classic example, as super queues formed outside the shop immediately prior to the July polls.  This week small crowd of people was seen in the early morning gathering outside the doors of the SMB supermarket waiting for the supermarket to open its doors.  The interest this time round, was the arrival of onions, fresh fruits and vegetables after a lull.

However acute shortages, such as carrots, beef burgers, hamburgers, ham and beef continues unabated.  Maybe the Chinese would come to our rescue this time around!

Copyright 2006: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles