“The Increase in the Cost of Living Today Has Nothing to do With Any Group of Merchants or Anyone Else But Everything to do With James Michel and the SPPF”
IN the last few weeks President Michel has been appearing on SBC TV almost on a daily basis to try and talk his way out of being blamed for the rising cost of living, which has gripped the country ever since he took over at State House. Whilst it is true that prices on the international market has gone up Michel cannot divorce himself from the situation locally.
He is by all account, responsible for the inflated price increases of basic commodities in the shops. For instance, just to remind him, a packet of lentils that use to cost SR16 is now over SR35.00 in the shops, a tin of baby's milk, which normally costs SR29.00 is now selling at SR40.00.
During his election campaign for President in 2006, Michel made promises to the electorate. These promises were regarded as his contract with the people of Seychelles if they elected him President. One of these promises was that he will never devalue the Seychelles Rupee. Another one was that his government will not increase the utility bills, i.e., electricity and water.
The above are just two of a long list Michel promised to the people during his election campaign for President. Both promises, along with plenty others, have since been broken without any justifiable explanation from President Michel. In fact the spin doctors at State House are yet to utter the word ‘devaluation' when discussing the drop in value of the rupee against dollars, euros and pounds.
Michel knew all along (during 2006 election campaign) that he was going to do what he has done. Even when he was saying that he would never devalue, Michel knew that he was deceiving the nation. After his election Michel knew he had to move fast, but the only obstacle was the National Assembly. He needed the National Assembly election over and done with before he could move on with his deceitful plans.
The SNP leadership had played into his hands by their non-participation in the National Assembly. SNP had walked out just after the 3rd October incident outside the National Assembly building. Michel made the most of this shenanigan by Ramkalawan by dissolving the National Assembly and calling for legislative elections prematurely.
Having secured a majority in the May 2007 election Michel triggered the chaotic situation the country presently faces.
Even if the prices on the international marketing are going up, the burden on the local population has been compounded further due to the fact that Michel devalued the rupee without putting any plan in place for such an eventuality. The unavailability of foreign exchange from the banks, something Michel said he would resolve four years ago, has also aggravated the costs of living in the country.
All things considered, Michel's presidency is built on a lie. He needs to step down and call for fresh elections so that the electorate can “judge him by his actions”.