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Archive -National Assembly

Tourism and Culture Minister refutes corruption allegations |01 June 2016

Tourism and Culture Minister, Alain St Ange, refuting corruption allegations after a cheque worth R100,000 was issued in his name by the Beachcomber Ste Anne Resort, has said that payment by cheque by a company is official payment.

Minister St Ange made the remark when answering a private notice question on the matter by the leader of the opposition in the Assembly Francesca Monnaie.

She had asked Minister St Ange to explain why the cheque was issued in his name.

Minister St Ange went on to add that collecting millions of rupees in paper bags at nightfall from a businessman’s house when thinking no one is watching is corruption contrary to a cheque which is issued legally.

He explained that on May 10 Beachcomber Ste Anne Resort issued a cheque numbered 001128 for R100,000. This followed an agreement between the resort and eTurbo News, an international media organisation.  Mr St Ange stated that the resort’s general manager, Norbert Couvreur, wrote the following on the payment :- "Cette Société de presse en ligne, avec laquelle nous avons passé un contract en août 2015 portait sur la couverture en plusieurs reportages de la Beachcomber Adventure 2016, notre événement phare en matière commerciale. eTurbo news nous avez demandé d'effectuer le paiement de la somme convenue de Scr 100,000 à Monsieur Alain St Ange, en l'occurrence vous, son représentant aux Seychelles."

eTurbo News on the other hand wrote the following after the Seychelles Weekly newspaper started what Mr St Ange termed the cheque saga:-

"You have been our agent in Seychelles, referred to as eTN Ambassador, for many years. Initially you covered our successful Indian Ocean column in the mid 2000. It was known also as the St Ange Indian Ocean Report. Due to your effort, eTN is now rightfully regarded as a source and expert on issues relevant to the Indian Ocean region. 

Due to your effort also many tourism enterprises were able to get worldwide recognition and visibility through our extensive network. 

The incident referred to by the press in the Seychelles was for a payment of US $7650.00 or Seychelles Rupees 100,000.00 invoiced by us on September 2, 2015. The invoice was generated after a negotiation with Mr Norbert Couvreur of Beachcomber Hotel to use our extensive partner network in Europe to get awareness for Beachcomber worldwide with a focus on France and Belgium and in accordance with an agreement we made at the France Tourism Fair. The project was for the 2016 Beachcomber Adventure campaign. Thank you for collecting a payment for this invoice. It settled invoice Number 1381 for Sainte Anne Beachcomber Hotel. I am attaching a paid invoice copy for your record.

eTN's concept to work with Tourism Ambassadors like you and all over the world is key of our success. It allows us to truly operate on a global marketplace".

Minister St Ange told the Assembly members that more explanation was given on an eTN invoice dated September 2, 2015 which states:- “Local Seychelles representative authorised to receive payment in Seychelles Rupees as discussed. Please pay eTN Tourism Ambassador Alain St Ange.

“These are the real facts, and not what the Seychelles Weekly has written because it was an article that encourages rumours, lies, create hatred and an atmosphere of division which makes ordinary Seychellois people suffer.   

“Seychelles needs sincerity, unity and an atmosphere that is conducive for the creation of opportunity for its people”.

He said there is no place for division and hatred which are regrettably being encouraged by lies and personal attacks in political rallies.

 

 

 

 

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