THERE are reports that Arabs close to the government, coveting the Plantation Club to the point that it has been closed down, ready for a takeover, (once court actions, an eyewash, are concluded), have already moved there.
Some containers have been seen on the site. It was usual for the Arabs who were frequent clients of the Plantation Club to fly in with their own supplies. These included foodstuffs, beverages and other needs.
The man running the show, was someone called Sulliman. The man was very highly connected, to the point that he was at the airport to greet President Michel after one of his overseas visits.
When the sheikh flies down accompanied by a bevy of girls from the fresh pots of North Africa and
Still, it was at the secluded Plantation Club they always loved to stay, though the STB and the Attorney General's Office today claim that the place is " in a state of collapse".
It is not only the Arabs who loved the Plantation Club. It was the venue of the Miss World beauty pageant, when over a hundred bikini-clad, exotic girls strutted their stuff. Several grand weddings have also been held there.
These included former SMB boss Mukesh Valabhji, whose honorary guest was ex-President Albert Rene. Guests at the wedding recalled Valabhji referring to Rene as "papa”. Former Air
Of course, the
It is believed that during its 20 years, relations have at times been more than warm with the owners of the Plantation Club; Ailee Development Corporation, which held over 50% of shares; as well as the Indian group backed by the Bank of Baroda which had 30%.
It appears that government never made any investment in the hotel initially, besides the handouts which they claim came later and lawyer Bernard Georges, representing Ailee Development is right in saying it stands to gain nothing from the arbitrary closure , court action and subsequent sale of the hotel. But, it appears that Bank of Baroda, which initially invested $ 15 million is very much in favour of what is happening. After all, this will allow it to recoup its investment, plus interest estimated at a total of US$60 million. We note that Central Bank Governor Francis Chang Leng was in
Money appears to be the main reason for the Plantation Club episode. At a time, when properties and islands are being sold everywhere in Seychelles, the Arab sheikhs who converged on the Plantation Club and its over 100 acres of coconut groves and secluded coves, obviously felt it was time to act and claim a share of the cake, or else they might be too late, with so many Russians, South African and other sharks already staking a claim.
The story sounds like one from an Alfred Hitchcock’s novel. And who is to say No. A Seychelles Government who is so cash-strapped that it is willing to give parts of its islands in exchange for collecting rubbish to a foreign company?
Guess not. Beggars cannot be choosers!