Food Crisis à la SPPFRECENTLY the SPPF, through 'Face-a-Face' an SBC discussion program that last broadcasted about six (6) months ago and return last week, addressed what is now more or less a "Food Crisis” in Seychelles. The narrator Jacqueline Moustache-Belle breezed over the external factors which are causing the price of foods like rice, wheat, flour to sky-rocket in the world. Seychelles is not being spared. But the cause of the increase in prices in Seychelles is not the fault of World market trends solely. Prices are increasing because of a prolific Black Market in Seychelles and as well as a failing banking system. This, no one had anything to say about in 'Face-a-Face'. The subject was conveniently avoided...
When Hitler caused to put to death millions of Jews by burning them, many people in neighboring towns would deny to themselves, that they were smelling burnt charred , murdered human flesh. They pretended it was a BBQ and the smell was beef steaks on the grill. They would play music and do a party to deny the reality under their noses.
Denial Reigns in Food Shortage
In Seychelles, SPPF is still denying the real causes of food shortages and erratic supply. This denial is testimony as to why we must remove SPPF from the seats of Government and send them to plant "Gro Manze", if they can even manage that, which I doubt. However, Mr. Antoine Moustache will most likely be available to cheer them on and encourage them to plant "Gro Manze" since it does provide a high rate of return per square meter when compared to rice....besides, the whole of Oceana and Asia enjoy it. What happened to SPPF's taste buds after they came to power?
Got fancy like all their talk! While Boss eats whatever is planted at Barbaron by soldiers, Michel sends for the best chicken and vegetables from Praslin, the best breads from La Digue, the best caviar and prawns from IPSC delivered daily to State House. While Boss was at State House, he ate whatever was available. We must give credit to where credit is due. But now State House has a different style you know, and all the little bosses are adopting the lavish style to the point ruining the wellbeing of others. Michel must recall well when he was handed the Presidency by an overly optimistic Rene; he was hugged, kissed, and Rene said, "Do what is best for the Country James, not what is best for this or that person".
Big Congress Coming No Food
Imagine that, SPPF has talked itself and us People of Seychelles into a food shortage. Now Boss is holding an ordinary Congress to set the path for the way forward in order that Seychelles can achieve economic success under SPPF. SPPF could not manage to come up with a new product line for SENPA in that Congress if their lives depended on it. As usual they will feed us rubbish when all we need is a steady supply of food. Boss will assert himself and try to reel in Michel. He will line up Danny; make him say sorry to Sylvette for firing her, but in the end, we will have a food shortage just as we did before the Congress.
The SPPF King Brain Speaks Softly
In the discussion in 'Face-a-Face, what was most noticeable was the official SPPF- King Brain, Ahmed Afif, who normally lords his intelligence, know-it-all persona and pure bureaucratic dominance over the Public, seemed to be as meek as a mouse in a trap. No longer did Mr. Afif profess to be definitive and know it all about everything. Like the SPPF, Afif appeared to be at a loss going around in circles. He looked overwhelmed by the food crisis on his desk. He seemed helpless and even seemed to display concern. I wonder if he has a concession to pay in RUPEES for fuel, or whether he must pay his fuel charges in Euros like Cat Cocos?
2 Many Hats Brother 4 - 1 Man
Mr. Afif has the task now of running SMB or STC now. The initials have been changed, but still more or less, the warehouses are as empty as ever. To his credit, he has been able to scam a 4x4 Mitsubishi from Muky and Pajero for Praslin STC operations. Perhaps Mr. Afif may take 'que' from David Savy and order 10,000 mugs with the STC label on it and use them to fill empty space on the shelves in STC outlets and warehouses. Remember Mr. Afif, when in doubt; invest in raffia and water fountains.
As Chairman of STC, a private company that is subsidized now by Social Security to purchase every month an amount of Rupees 500,000.00 in rice, Mr. Afif says we must all sit down and find a solution to the food crisis. He says we spend $180,000.00 per day to feed Seychelles. That includes 150,000 Tourist and about 15000 expat workers. That number will increase to 20000 soon. But since we have 750 less hotels rooms this year, we’re likely to get less Tourist and that will mean less money to feed everyone, as well Mr. Afif. If Mr. Afif may, for a moment, take his STC hat, put it on the left side of his brain and take his Principal Secretary of Finance hat and place it on the right side of his brain, Mr. Afif will soon realize that our receivables are not sufficient to meet demand for outward payments to keep Seychelles afloat. Now why would that happen to be the case Mr. Afif?
Retention Scheme Starves Us, Fake Rates Starve Us
Would it have anything to do with the "Retention Scheme" his Government created and sent all our foreign exchange running for cover into overseas accounts because SPPF menaced basic fundamental free market mechanisms? Of course not, Mr. Afif will answer. He will say Seychelles is special and has special circumstances. Will it have anything to do with preferential treatment of foreigners and a fake exchange rate?
Well, it is for that reason, we will all be better off including you SPPF elites who will sit pretty in your Congress soon, if you would give Mr. Afif his well-earned third hat: a sailors hat, which he can wear on his fine yacht when in the open seas going no where, but in circles. The sooner SPPF rids itself of incompetence, the sooner we will all be better off. Sometimes, that means parting with long good friends. So Sail on SPPF sail on, good times will never come your way again! When you sit down for your Congress, ask yourself who is responsible for this failure amongst you. This time you cannot blame Aboo or Kumar, since they are already rich and long gone.
Camera Shy Veronique
Another top brass SPPF bureaucrat on the show was Veronique Herminie. She was camera shy. Not bad for an SPPF Principal Secretary. She also said very little and moved things on very little. If you wonder why your plans are stuck at Planning and wonder why the files are in such a mess, don't blame her for the problems, she just showed up. But if nothing is done while she is there don't be surprised either. She is shy. At SFA little was done on her watch as well. This gave Randolph Payet the courage to propose that we stop fishing Bourzwa from our waters and let the prized fish which we rely on for our economy to run to continue a never-ending love session while perpetually being registered by his office under: "Fish in Love (L'Apondant) Status".
Sometimes SPPF takes good people and makes them do bad things. This leaves all of us all confused. Do not be confused just, pray for those good people that the clutches of evil and incompetence will release them. They are good people, but they lost their way, along the way, because of bad leaders.
Who Has Destroyed Farmers and Fishing
If anyone made any sense in this session of Face-a-Face it was Nicole Tirant. She even suggested that Farmers should be permitted to earn foreign exchange for their produce. Nothing wrong with that. But for that to happen Mr. Afif would have to start paying his fuel bills in Euros for his yachts. Basically, the Retention Scheme would have to be scrapped. The notion of having to obtain permission to retain foreign exchange for a Farmer is absurd and out of this World. But it is the case in Seychelles.... Another World.
Let Farmers Earn Some Euros and Dollars
Our Seychellois Farmers must obtain permission to sell tomatoes in foreign exchange, but ISPC can and does do it everyday. They also sell prawns, fish and pork chops for euros everyday. They are printing money. The managers at shops like that in the trade zone have smile that goes from one ear to the other. You would think they don't live in Seychelles. Why foreign companies can sell in foreign exchange and Seychellois cannot Mr. Afif? If you don't know the answer to that smart one, better consider booking one of those flights back to Maldives. When you get there, try telling them, "My People, you must sell your produce in Seychelles Rupees". Then we will see who-what sinks first, you or an island.
Why Farm Today?
If farmers do not want to farm today, it is because SPPF has failed this hard working sector of Seychelles. If Fishermen would rather sell fuel bought on concession on the Black Market than go and fish, it is because SPPF has failed the Fishermen. While SPPF strangles local fishermen, they allow the European Union to harvest our TUNA for Euro 85.00 per Ton under the EU- Seychelles Fishing Agreement. That price is based only on Seychelles landed catch and does not include what they pirate off to La Reunion, Comores and Madagascar.
Mismanagement in Good Times No Management in Bad Times
In good times, SPPF took the bounty for granted and believed the good times would roll on forever. They printed money like there was no tomorrow. They borrowed money like there was no tomorrow to repay those loans. They have not repaid either. In bad times, because they had not been trained to be efficient and effective in prosperous times, they flounder and manage our Nation’s economic affairs casually like tomorrow some thing will come up. Well, the prawns in Coetivy Island listened and wanted to believe SPPF, and they all ended up dead and buried, not worthy of even becoming fertilizer to replace imported fertilizers. People of Seychelles must not end up like SPPF Prawns.
Insecure Physics in upcoming Congress
We have made a mistake to re-elect Leaders that rely on Rene to read a book, interpret it for them with his 1960's blinders vision. So today in 2008, we fail. We must not forget, Rene's education is from the old times, almost before the wheel was invented. When he went off to seek an education, he had to take a boat. Much if not all of his ideas are now irrelevant in the modern World. He did not use e-mail. He used a telegram which was sent by telegraph which had codes to clicks. If Rene was an outward going Leader, he could learn as he went on. But he is an introvert and keeps to himself. So as he ruled, he learned little about the outside World. That is why he feels alienated today when students come home from University. They threaten him. As he feels threatened, we do too. So we sway away from him and his square wheel ideas that have no place in any modern society, today.
Graduates don't waste your time with SPPF. Follow my example and the countless successful men and women who tailed SPPF and succeed in spite of them today. We make our Country run in spite of SPPF. They squander opportunities left, right and centre, up and down town. Do not allow yourselves to be used. Today, we have created an option for you. In our time we had to thread more carefully and be weary of SPPF. Today you have the luxury of a bit more choice. Just search a little beyond SPPF.
Tough Congress - Fake It!
As they try to find some red banners for the Congress and gather to sing some silly songs and hold hands, remember, why SPPF succeeds at nothing except lies, corruption and butchery. People of Seychelles open your eyes! Put the Guinness aside for a moment and see that SPPF manages nothing; it breeds only disaster for us as a People. They are not winning, they are depressed and loosing.
As SPPF prepares the little speeches for their big Congress, don't expect much. Mugabe does the same thing to keep his people in line and look what is happening over there......I hate to say it, but just more failure.
The Party is over ladies and gentlemen in Red, kindly be polite enough to vacate the dance floor.....time to move on! We will have to feed ourselves.
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!