Christopher Gill's ColumnWell, it is official now. After being told lies, lies, after lies, and more lies throughout the Year 2007, by SPPF about the true state of our Economy and Affairs of State, officials are now coming forward one by one, to paint the true picture of our reality today. The SPPF have decided to take the People of Seychelles along for this reality ride, because they want us to pay for their follies and years of wastage and bad management, which today has left the
To ease us into this ride, the SPPF use the SBC through programs they air for us in the evenings. Face a Face, Panorama, Economic Watch are all examples of programs that help us slowly face the reality of SPPF failure. They are also programs SPPF will use to get us all, to agree, to pay the bills. The SPPF invite Opposition members to lend their ideas and opinions to ease the ride for SPPF themselves.
We have seen Ralph Agrippine an SPPF Economist tell us if our Rupee floats, it will be worth 2% of today’s actual value. We have seen Mr. Weber tell us that 90% of all food stuff he purchases for his store comes from the black market. The banks cannot provide enough money to maintain a current food supply in the Country. Mr. Weber also told us the Banking System lacks any credibility. Hence why People do not bank in the local Banking System.
We have seen SPPF applaud a new proposed pay health care system in the future. This will require a constitutional amendment. They will need the SNP on board to make this amendment.
By the end of the year, the SPPF tabled Public Beach Access for debate on SBC. This issue has been on Mr. President’s table since he first became President. It was on Mr. Rene’s desk as well. SPPF is directly responsible for allowing companies like Lemuria Hotel enter
SPPF must have the necessary courage and dignity to open the gates of Lemuria to the Public for Beach Access to Anse Georgette and Anse Kerlan. We must not compromise on this issue. Our National Heritage and the way we live is at stake. Do not let any bureaucratic worm kid us on Beach Access.
As the Year closes in, SPPF approved a 375 Million Budget Surplus Expenditure for 2007 to cover the cost of Elections. SNP debated the issue and asked for more details. SPPF provided none. SNP did not find it important enough to vote on the Motion. Its leader even left the hall prior to voting. We pay for SPPF sins when we remain silent. Abstaining is remaining silent! Lending a hand to SPPF is tantamount to co-conspiracy to destroying the economy and future of the People of Seychelles.
The wall of lies and mis-information is crumbling down as the SPPF and its leaders France Albert Rene, James Michel, and young Danny Faure, no longer know what to do. They send Mr. Afif Principal Secretary of Ministry of Finance to cover up the disaster at hand and plug the holes in the sinking ship to hide their failures. Mr. Afif told us in Panorama we are facing failure and to just wake up!
The glaring admissions of Mr. Afif in Panorama kept my body asleep, while my brain registered the points he highlighted about this excuse and that excuse and why we have no control over fuel prices shipping rates and black market rates. After all was said and done, it became official; we are in a genuine economic crisis. It is truly amazing how this bad news was kept under wraps by the SPPF and their technocrat puppets for so long. Now their 12,000.00 per month salary for Principal Secretary is only worth 3,000.00 not much more then a good gardener’s wages.
In the last Elections the SPPF made us believe we were Rich and now we are ... Poor. Based on what we are hearing, from the SPPF, our economic condition is quiet severe. It is quite unfortunate we were not told of the true state of our finances sooner. Bad finances is like Cancer. If you catch the disease early, you can take steps to cure it. The longer you wait the more difficult and drastic the steps will be to cure.
Having brought us virtual failure in this God given industry, the SPPF have now increased GST taxes on Tourism establishment from 7% to 10% then 12% and 15% until we are all buried in SPPF failure. Recent Arrival increases have made them turn an eye on Tourism to fund their disastrous policies. However, while Arrivals are up, Revenue is really down. What is worse, next year 500 rooms will be struck off on the National Operational Room List as hotels close or are sold off to the less weary. Our goose will soon die. Who will be responsible for killing it? SPPF!
SPPF cannot manage health care with Rupees 180 Million per year. They now want us to pay for health care. If they cannot manage 180 Million, what makes them think they will be able to manage more money if we pay for the services? Seychellois hold on to your constitutional right to free health care, but make SPPF accountable for its failures. When they present a law in National Assembly to make you pay for health care, throw them out. Also throw out the janitor that says he is in favour of the amendment.
In early 2007, Mr. President told us he will ensure fuel prices are not raised. Now 12 months later, he is telling us that he cannot afford to maintain that policy and to pay our way, prices will increase every three months and take the bus! SPPF has used the credible Captain Adam to give us the message of our new fuel billings. While we take the bus, Mr. President frolics in the region in private jets and IDC planes make trips to
As the year closes, fishing is down 40% for the year. A dire statistic for our fishing industry and Port Victoria - EU has granted us only one year tax free status on our exports of fish pending further negotiations. SPPF has slept on our potentially most profitable resources to the point it is now nearing death of an industry as Lehman Brother does the number’s, it may just dismantle the factory and ship it out somewhere else. When it happens, we will have only SPPF to thank for it. In the meantime, Col. Andre Ciseau continues to appeal to State House to take steps to keep Port Victoria competitive in order that we do not become regional back-water.
Finally, thank you SPPF, we are grateful for the new shipment of onions and potatoes for Christmas!