Troukler
SPPF MNAs ADMIT THAT SBC IS PARTISAN!
The Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly has this week (Tuesday) tabled a motion, no doubt on the orders of the Executive, for the establishment of a parliamentary media committee. The primary role of this committee would be to look at access to the national media, predominantly the SBC TV, by political parties other than the ruling party, which has been receiving unlimited access to the state-controlled TV station for the last fifteen years, since the re-introduction of a multi-party system of government.
The National Assembly members present, SPPF, voted unanimously for the motion. The opposition has not been present in the Assembly since its October 3rd sitting; it is believed that the opposition members are staying away until such time that ‘The Speaker’ can guarantee their security and safety in the precinct of the National Assembly as dictated by Law, when it is in session.
In presenting his motion, Honourable Patrick Herminie, the Leader of Government Business confirmed that the media were not dealing with certain issues adequately and politicians especially were not always satisfied with the coverage they received. In a sitting of the National Assembly earlier this month Honourable Charles de Commarmond pointed out that the SBC must interview members of the opposition, when reporting on issues of a political nature, especially when it is about the constituencies where the MNA is from the opposition. According to Mr. Herminie, “In a democracy like ours diverse political views should be aired in a balanced manner,” something we have not had from the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation.
Observers locally and abroad are watching development closely to see how the issue of access to the national media by the opposition will finally pan out. It is clear that the ruling party can no longer deny further the opposition, which has a 46% popular support their fair share of coverage in the national media.
THE FINE LINE BETWEEN PARTY BUSINESS AND THAT OF GOVERNMENT
Last week we saw the inauguration of a new housing estate in the district of Anse Royale. It has 66 units and the estate has been named “Remiz”. This development has cost the taxpayers of this country a cool twenty million rupees (R20 million). The estate was officially opened on Friday the 20th of October by the Minister for Land Use & Habitat, Mr. Joel Morgan and surprise, surprise, by the district administrator, Sylvanne Lemielle, a government paid employee, and SPPF activists extraordinary.
The estate which welcomed its first tenants as far back as September 2004 comprises of 54 two-bedroom apartments and 12 apartments of three-bedroom. The project was undertaken in two phases by well-known construction firm, Allied Builders. The whole project took almost three years to complete.
In his inaugural address, Minister Morgan reminded the residents to take good care of their houses and to make the estate a place where all the children would feel secure and safe. According to Minister Morgan the current waiting list for housing in the district of Anse Royale stands at 106 to date. “It is by repaying the loans that the government will be able to carry on with its housing programme so as to cater for the demand for houses,” Minister Morgan said. The Minister was clear in that the houses were not a gift from government but a loan that need to be repaid back in a given period. However, the tenants are also aware of the fact that comes the next presidential election it might turn out to be just that, a gift or bribe at the expense of the taxpayers, by the incumbent for votes, to the detriment to others still waiting for a house from the Government.
According to the Seychelles Nation (23/10/06) – ‘After unveiling the plaque, which officially open the estate the Minister and his entourage, which included the SPPF’s Central Committee Member for Anse Royale, Jacquelin Dugasse, visited the estate’s inhabitants to see how well they have settled in their new homes.’ This is where the ruling party is failing in establishing a clear line between the affairs of government and that of the political party in power. Mr Morgan was there in his capacity as a government minister, this much can be appreciated by all, there was no need to turn the event into a political propaganda exercise with the presence of party officials not directly linked to the project in any way.
Otherwise representatives from other political groupings such as SNP and DP should have been invited. In fact Honourable Hardy Lucas should have been invited for the inauguration ceremony, in his capacity as an MNA residing in the district of Anse Royale. Mr. Lucas has never ceased to fight for the good of the district in his capacity as a Member of the National Assembly. It is both dishonest and deceiving on the part of the Government of President Michel.