‘Government not planning to intervene in PUC’s decision to increase tariffs of utilities’ |22 August 2018

Vice-President Vincent Meriton has said that the government is not planning to intervene in the recent decision taken by the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) to increase the tariffs of electricity, water and sewerage.

“By the end of the week, PUC will make a new declaration on the matter, to explain its role in the national context, its obligations to the economy and social development and also how we as citizens, can play our role to cut down on our costs and usage of electricity and water and other services we get,” Vice-President Meriton said.

The vice-president was speaking during its quarterly press conference on Monday to update the public on issues of concern related to the various departments under his ministerial portfolio.

These portfolios include information, ICT (information communications technology), Blue economy, foreign affairs, industries and entrepreneurship development, the civil society and religious affairs and the outer islands.

With regard to the recent homicide incidents in the prison, Vice-President Meriton said: “We want to have a structure that is in conformity with international standard, where prisoners will be classified according to crimes committed while also offering adequate services and rehabilitation so as to make sure that at the end of their sentence, they leave as a better person. This is the long-term objective,” Vice President Meriton said.

Vice-President Meriton added that the challenge of the existing prison at Montagne Posée is that it is too congested.

“So we have looked at all the different formulas in government as to how to provide the desired structure, human resources, equipment and a rehabilitation programme that will permit us to attain the objective,” Vice-President Meriton said.

He stressed on the need to work with families to better educate their children and also to work with communities thus creating an environment where people can live in harmony with one another.

The Pick-up, Plant and Truck Hire Association (PPTHA) is still at loggerheads with government with regard to the La Gogue dam project. Vice President Meriton said that loans for big projects are taken on behalf of the people of Seychelles as we are the ones who will contribute to pay back the loan and government will not entertain situations that will add a burden on the people. He said that an agreement to benefit both parties will soon be reached.

During the press conference, Vice-President Meriton also explained how foreign embassies and high commissions attached to a designated country, under international conventions, operate.    

“It is customary and is expected that those institutions liaise with the ministry of foreign affairs of the designated country for all channels of communication but that doesn’t mean that the ambassadors, high commissioners or their officers can’t liaise with other departments. As customary also, and as it has happened in the past, these foreign ambassadors and high commissioners have worked and discussed with other branches in government such as the National Assembly and the judiciary. I think this is a normal practice and it is also being practiced in Seychelles,” Vice President Meriton said in answer to a question on whether it was right for foreign embassy officials to engage in official discussions with other partners other than with government through the foreign affairs department.

With regard to the immigration status of Tunisian born El Materi, who is now a Seychellois citizen, Vice-President Meriton confirmed that Materi is a Seychellois citizen and was granted citizenship by President Danny Faure on the grounds of him being a stateless citizen.

Also on immigration issue concerning mistreatment of foreign workers, Vice-President Meriton said that such cases have negative effects on Seychelles’ visibility abroad.

He added that in Seychelles there are several institutions which complement those from the civil society, for the protection of human rights. He added that government, the civil society and the private sector must work hand in hand for the protection of human rights.

With regard to those who have taken loans from the Seychelles Business Financing Agency (SBFA), Vice-President Meriton urged those who have not repaid their loans to honour their agreement. He added that government is working on a mechanism to follow up borrowers through helping them to attain their objectives through training and guidance so that they can repay their loans so that others can benefit too.