IT was interesting to listen to the debate in the National Assembly on the whole issue of housing, recently. Even more interesting was the competition between the MNA's as to which districts needed the most assistance and the length of time the people in their constituencies have been waiting to be assisted. After all those lengthy debates, which really at times tested the patience of the speaker, it was the MNA for Mont Fleuri, Honorable Jean Francois Ferrari, who asked the most pertinent question. Is the government winning or losing the battle against the whole concept they created “providing houses to all families”?
Realistically it is impossible for the government to provide houses to all families in need but this has been a concept that the government in power has stated all along and it is now hardly surprising that many people still expect them to deliver. With an economy already in difficulty, persisting with this concept is foolhardy. Right now, we are facing shortages in most areas even in the importation of essential goods, and with the shortage of foreign exchange how does the government expect to go on with its housing plans is beyond comprehension.
While there is nothing wrong in providing for families in need, the way the whole plan has gone about throughout the years had made people dependent on it. This means that many people do not see the need for them to make their own plans, that is get a job, save money, buy a plot of land, build a house and then start a family. In fact most Seychellois does the opposite, they start with having a family not necessarily planned for, then think about how they are going to provide for that family and then when things do not work out, depend on the system to give them assistance, both in terms of money and housing. Some go even as far as seeking assistance for their bills.
On the other hand, things for a couple who has worked out a good plan, they have saved their money and can afford to buy a plot of land, they will have to wait for ages until they can buy a plot of land from the Land Bank system. This means that our government has only one system in place which is catering for those who are just sitting there and waiting to be assisted. They are those who in most cases cannot afford to pay the minimum rent because they either are not employed or are not making any effort to seek employment.
It is time now for the whole concept of housing to be re-looked at to ensure that no-one is abusing the system. The MNA's and DA's themselves are not of much help because they at times look after those who are close to them or are fervent supporters. The idea of being on the priority list does not work because there are families who have been on that list for a long time and are still waiting while there are some who has moved from one flat to another. Government should also start looking at ways to encourage couples who can afford to buy land and build their house to do so and they too will feel that they are citizens of