Chetty flat residents voice out their concerns |28 May 2018

The residents of Chetty Flat housing estate in Anse Aux Pins had the opportunity to voice out some of their concerns during a meeting facilitated by the district’s member of parliament, Clifford Andre.

The meeting, which took place on Saturday afternoon, was attended by the newly appointed Minister for Habitat, Lands, Infrastructure and Land Transport Pamela Charlette, principal secretary for infrastructure Yves Choppy, principal secretary for lands Ravi Valmont, chief executive of the Property Management Corporation (PMC) Evelina Antha, police commander of the East region Superintendent Ronnie Mousbe and representatives from the Anti-Narcotics Bureau (ANB).

Before the meeting started, Mr Andre reinforced the point that the meeting was not a political manoeuvre on his part but rather a means to bring the grievances of the housing estate residents to the attention of the concerned authorities.

“Today’s meeting is principally in response to the various social media posts wherein the Chetty Flat residents raised some troubling issues about the estate,” Mr Andre told Seychelles NATION.

While assembled in the housing estate’s carpark, the residents were forthcoming and frank about the estate’s problems.

The main point of contention involved two gates that provided access to the foot path and which only a few residents had the keys and access to.

According to one resident who had been granted possession of the keys, the gates were constructed after she had made a request to the Ministry of Habitat, Lands, Infrastructure and Land Transport since she provided a baby-sitting service.

“The gates facilitated the going in and out of the parents,” she explained.

Others however found it unfair since they had to take the longer route to access the main road.

“It’s not right that only some people and their friends can use the gates while our children have to walk all the way to the shops or to the road. This in itself is dangerous because of the cars that use the same route,” stated another resident.

This problem can be linked back to President Danny Faure’s surprise visit to the Chetty Flat as well as that of the former Minister for Habitat, Lands, Infrastructure and Land Transport Charles Bastienne in September 2017.

During these visits, tenants expressed their concerns over the drug problems persisting in the housing community.

“In recent years Chetty Flat has faced problems in regards to a huge traffic of people coming in, even those who did not stay there. Unfortunately these people were often a disturbance to the community and we received various complaints,” explained PMC CEO, Evelina Antha.

Hence the ministry in partnership with PMC constructed a surrounding wall to control and restrict who comes into the estate.

The two gates were constructed into the walls after the tenant mentioned above sent in a request.

“I feel that the relevant authorities have neglected Chetty Flat and have created situations that have caused problems between neighbours such as with these gates,” Hon. Andre said.

“When only some people have access to a gate while others do not on an estate, it definitely results into the latter feeling that a group is being favoured more. These are elements that should not exist on a housing estate.”

Other concerns raised during the discussions were loud music, the huge amount of dogs on the estate, anti-social behaviour and what PMC permits on housing estates.

The relevant authorities are expected to meet on Tuesday alongside the Chetty Flat residents’ committee to decide on a way forward in regards to the gates.