ANYONE with a modicum of business acumen will find the government propaganda on the transformation of the monolith called SMB into three parts totally confusing. The matter is not being helped by the article which appeared in the Seychelles Nation on 28th February. (Seychelles Nation, to remind our readers, is the SPPF propaganda daily newspaper paid for out of public funds).
“Members of the public are being reassured that the transition process taking place at the SMB Agro industry will not affect the company's operations, the chairman of the Board of the newly formed Seychelles Agro Industries Ltd, Ronny Renaud, announced recently.” OK, but why do we need to be reassured that nothing will happen if they are sure nothing will happen?
“Mr Renaud pointed out that changes, if the need arises for any, to the operations and service delivery of the company will be gradual and will be announced in due course.
The aim of the new company, like its predecessor, is to ensure quality products and service deliveries for consumers and also maintain products standard and company's profitability,” Mr Renaud stressed. Right! So when it was called by its previous name (SMB), it maintained product standard and profitability. What is the point of the exercise, then? Read on.
“As from March 1, the SMB Agro industry will be replaced by the newly formed Seychelles Agro Industries Ltd following the dissolution of the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB).” So someone woke up one morning after a bad dream and decided, why not dissolve SMB? Lo and behold SMB is dissolved.
“Regarding the range of products that the new company will produce, Mr Renaud said that unlike SMB Agro, the Seychelles Agro Industries Ltd will be responsible for the production of Liqui-fruit juices, milk and yogurt only while the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) will take over the production of tomato and chili sauces even though the bottling process will be carried out at the Seychelles Agro Industries Ltd.” OK. Two new entities will now produce what one old entity used to produce. Isn't that progress?
“Mr Renaud pointed out that the company has completed the first phase of its transition since the appointment of the Board earlier this month. He said the Board held its first meeting earlier this week and yesterday it met with members of staff.” Talk of progress? What a great achievement in so short a time.
“Regarding the workers' future, Mr Renaud said that the new company has retained all the seventy-four members of staff and will be adding on a few more staff mostly from the centralized former SMB administration as the transition process continues.” Well, isn't it interesting? More people are required to do what fewer people used to do under a centralised system. We understand. This is a bit like the operation to separate triplets stuck together at birth. Or is it to create triplets out of the birth of one whole body?
“Meanwhile Mr Renaud noted that in line with the Government Privatisation Programme, the Ministry of Finance will hopefully be launching tender for a strategic partner for the company by the end of this month.” Hopefully? So we are not sure there will be a tender? Which is in line with Government Privatisation Programme, to have a tender or not to have a tender? Answer please on a postcard. The winner will enjoy a free trip to Dubai.
“He pointed out that the whole process is expected to last around six months, time during which a strategic partner who will take over some of the company's shares would have been found.” Aha. So now we know what the dream was all about. Replay of the SACOS privatisation saga?
Watch this space.