‘Welfare help for needy, not young lazy beggars’ |14 April 2012

Minister Meriton and his delegation in (top) Mont Buxton and Bel Air

This was the thrust of the message of the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton to officials of several central and northern Mahe districts yesterday.

During the visits to Mont Buxton, Bel Air, St Louis, Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre, the minister was accompanied by his principal secretary for community development and sports Denis Rose, principal secretary for social affairs Linda William-Melanie, the chief executive of the Agency for Social Protection (ASP) Jacqueline Pierre and other officials.

The tour was an introductory one for them to get familiarised with the district teams, notably the district administrators, social workers and field technicians.

Mr Meriton stressed no effort must be spared to ensure the residents live in harmony with their environments.
He said the district officials should encourage more people, especially the youths to make use of the community centres for recreational activities.

Mr Meriton said everyone who is young must be engaged in productive work, adding that the ASP is there to help those members of our society who are most in need, not young loathers, who spend their time begging to buy baka or other alcoholic beverages.

The issue of too many people, notably the youth spending all day at the lakanbiz drinking baka or lapire, came up in all districts.

Mr Meriton also said the carer system must also not be abused. The common practice where younger members of a family were employed as carers for their elderly relatives must be discouraged.

“We cannot have a system where so many youths are employed as carers, instead of going out and being involved in some productive activity.”  He added that there is a lot of employment available and the emphasis is to get anyone strong enough, especially the youth to work.

Ms Pierre said persons who need carers are often identified by health personnel. She said, however, that everyone whether at ministry or district level must be more discerning in deciding what kind of allocation any person should benefit. 

Ms Pierre suggested that someone living alone and with no known relatives should continue to have a carer on a full-time basis. She also said that help from the ASP does not necessarily have to be financial all the time. 

Ms William-Melanie said it is up to district officials to identify indications of malaise in their community.
She said that while Seychellois society is a caring one, there is no room for complacency whereby social help is abused.