Letters to the Editor

More Lies by Jack Joker

Dear Sir, I would like to add to Christopher Gill’s list of lies by Jack Joker (JJ if you will) which appeared in last week’s issue of Seychelles weekly.

1) In 2004, Jack told us that he will build 2000 houses in two years. Lie. By the end of 2006, not even a third of this number was completed.

2) In 2004, Jack told us that he will meet with the Leader of the Opposition on a regular basis to talk and discuss issues of National importance. Lie. After only one meeting, that was it. Jack is now saying that he has no intention whatsoever in meeting Mr. Ramkalawan.

3) In 2004, Jack told us that he will work to level the political playing field. Lie. Today, more than ever before, SBC and the Nation newspaper (both publicly funded media organizations) seem to be the personal tools of Jack. They are continuously disseminating SPPF propaganda and misinformation and deliberately not broadcasting or publishing the opinions or comments of the opposition. Jack’s appointed a military officer as Commissioner of Police who has consistently prevented peaceful political assembly by the opposition.

4) Jack told us that he and his Ministers would be accessible to all representatives of the local press to answer any question in relation to what they are doing. Lie. Only SBC, Nation and People (his favourites) are invited to any press conference.

5) Jack told us that his government will be an open and transparent one. Lie. Almost every government transaction today is done in secrecy. An example was the infamous “sale” of state land to rich Arabs and cronies for one rupee.

6) In 2004, Jack told us that every high profile public servant (including himself and his Ministers) would declare their personal assets. Lie. Up to now, nothing has been done. And what’s more, under Jack’s Leadership, Seychelles, according to Transparency International, has become a more corrupt country.

7) Jack told us that desalination plants would put to an end to our water shortage. No more again will we see people with buckets standing by the side of the road at night waiting for water bowsers. Lie. If the sun shines continuously for a month, we are back again to the buckets/bowsers exercise.

8) Jack told us that the 200 million dollars syndicated loan from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi of Japan would not only put an end to our forex crisis, but certainly be the last one the SPPF government ever took. Lie. His government seems to have developed an addiction to taking more foreign loans at the highest interest rates on offer to pay back loans at lower interest rates.

9) Jack told us that he would initiate an investigation into the 4.5 million dollars “lost” to a bogus construction company from Dubai by the Housing Department. Lie. Until today, we have heard practically nothing about any investigation.

10) Jack told us in 2006, prior to the Presidential election that one of his priorities after being elected President would be to lower the cost of living. Lie of course. Today, the cost of living has practically climbed above our heads and climbing higher by the day. And Jack isn’t doing anything about it, preferring instead to take his family to shopping sprees in Singapore (for cheaper goods obviously).

11) Jack told us that he will put all drug “Escobars” behind bars once and for all. Lie. Unless one is stupid enough to call the small-time dealers, whose modest little houses are constantly raided by the police in the middle of the night “Escobars”, nothing whatsoever has been done to take on the bigwigs - the real “Escobars”; the ones Jack describes as owning big houses and cars and yachts. Some even own car hire companies and hotels, apart from other legitimate businesses, as cover up for their despicable trade. Those persons are the untouchables and Jack leaves them alone, preferring instead to beg and plead with them to leave our schoolchildren alone. As if they are going to listen to Jack’s pathetic call and ask the youngsters next time they come to buy their drugs to bring their ID cards with them . How silly!

12) In 2006, prior to the Presidential election, Jack told us that we would have oil, plenty of oil in fact. And in just two short years we would have plenty of dollars in our pockets. Lie. Anyone, even the most stupid person will tell you that, even if oil is discovered would take 5-8 years before the product is marketable.

Jack lies and keeps lying. One day soon his lies will hang him. Truths always win over lies eventually, just like light always overcomes darkness.

Thank you for your space

Jean Joseph (JJ) Lyer

Editor: Do you know any more lies that we may have missed so far? Please send it to us and we ill gladly publish them as part of our collection of lies by Jack Joker.