For the past couple of weeks we have heard on our national media of various changes taking place in our country. It started with the review in the educational system, in the finance department and now in the judiciary.
The irony is that all these changes have been announced following reports made by foreign consultants. It seems that things are taken seriously when it’s a foreigner who is proposing what is best for our country.
Most of what is being reviewed or will be reviewed have been proposed before by Seychellois - but then maybe we do not know what is best for our country – the SPPF need foreigners to come and tell us what we already knew all along. Take the report prepared by ex -Attorney General, Mr. Francis Chand-Sam for instance. The report was commissioned by President James Michel after the October rd incident and the Leader of the Opposition was also invited to participate. Unlike those Irish who were paid thousands of Euros to compile their reports, these people, Seychellois, were not paid a single cent. They did their job conscientiously for the love of their country, putting country before self. However, nothing has been heard in the local media about Chang-Sam’s report and recommendation. One wonders therefore why was it commissioned in the first place? This also gives credence to Pool’s arguments in face a face that the SPPF government favours foreigners over Seychellois.
Listening to Mr. Afif on the changes in the finance department especially the taxes, it makes one wonder if that guy can hear himself speaks? Many are saying it cannot be the case, otherwise he would not be saying so much rubbish. On the issue of the businesses of Parastatals he said that shareholders need to know what is going on and how it is being done which means that they did not know how the businesses were being conducted before.
It seems that now the taxes will apply to everyone in an equitable manner and not discriminated on the type of business you are in or which sector it falls into.
Now come the review of the judiciary following the report submitted to the President recently. Well that has been a long time coming. Let us hope that something good will come out of it and that all Seychellois will benefit.
As an expert said many years ago after looking at how the laws in Seychelles are applied. There are too many different laws for different people. Any law, should be across the board and applicable to everyone at the same time. He also said that too many leaders had discretionary powers and there were no set rules as to how discretion is exercised. As it is there is too much potential for abuse.
We are still waiting to hear what kind of revision will be done to the education system. As it is, the present system is not encouraging our young people to work hard at school because no matter how they perform they are automatically promoted. So educational reform should also take into consideration how to encourage our youths to make good use of the opportunities they have.
What we have still not heard officially is whether the presence of IMF is only a rumour or they are already here. When we look at the changes taking place maybe it is true maybe our leaders are too ashamed to officially announce it.