Public meeting |22 June 2023
‘Travizory helps to enhance country’s border control,’ says President
President Wavel Ramkalawan has said the travel authorisation system Travizory will continue as it brings several benefits to the country including strengthening its border control.
The head of state made the comment yesterday at the 23rd consultative meeting in the district of Anse Aux Pins, when answering a question from a resident who was enquiring about the purpose of Travizory and the amount it brings into the government coffers.
President Ramkalawan explained that the service was free for Seychellois and was costing €9 per foreigner.
He said the money goes into the government’s coffer and half of it remains for government while the remaining half goes to the company offering the service so they can cater for the management of their system.
“The money we are collecting today is being used primarily for environment projects,” said Mr Ramkalawan.
He highlighted various benefits of the system stating it has enhanced the country’s border control allowing Seychelles immigration to detect illegal activities.
“Today prior to a visitor’s arrival we can get all their details and through Travizory we have been able to arrest several foreigners including those with fake passports and GOP, and identify those importing drugs,” he said.
President Ramkalawan added that the system has also reduced the time it takes to clear the flights upon arrival.
“Travizory will continue but maybe it will evolve in the future but for now this is how it is. Maybe in the future it will have another name or we can review the cost,” he said.
Another issue raised yesterday related to the Seychelles Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture. A teacher at the school invited the minister responsible for agriculture to visit the school to see the state of the institution and to hear their concerns.
Minister Flavien Joubert informed the meeting that his ministry is presently addressing concerns pertaining to the school and already they are holding talks with various international institutions to introduce options for the students, to make the centre more appealing.
He said they plan to sign a memorandum of understanding with Kenya and representatives from a Dutch institution are expected in the country at the end of June, or early July, for talks.
“We want to complete the discussion phase with these institutions,” said Minister Joubert.
He added however that their priority was to provide a proper infrastructure and to re-look at the centre’s management.
He stated that a visit to the centre will be conducted in the third quarter of the year.
It should be noted that the majority of issues raised in the four and a half hour meeting at Anse Aux Pins were personal ones and most of the residents requested to see the president after voicing their concerns.
Similar to other districts, the issues related to land, neighbour dispute, health, police, roads among others.
Today’s meeting will take place in Plaisance.
Patsy Canaya
