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He was speaking during the En Moman avek Prezidan programme, which was aired on SBC TV on Sunday evening and repeated on radio last night.

Asked about his recent decision to make changes in the prison administration, and about new measures to boost public confidence in the prison, Mr Michel said in a country that wants to make progress we must always be dynamic and make changes every time they are needed.

He said today, with the threat of piracy and where there is always the possibility of more pirates being captured, it is important for us to be prepared and play our part.

As the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport has been working closely with other partners in the fight against piracy and discussing help to put in place modern prison facilities, the measures – including assigning the prison portfolio to Minister Joel Morgan – fit well with the present situation.

Mr Michel said the new superintendent, Maxime Tirant, has a lot of experience in the police force and prison administration and is seen as the right choice to make the prison more secure and ensure the safety of the population as a whole. 

During this year’s first En Moman avek Prezidan, Mr Michel spoke at length about the new national theme – Together, Ready for the Future – and was asked if the country is ready for the future on all fronts, including the economy and social welfare, especially now that the number of people seeking social welfare help has increased and social ills are still a concern.

He said 2009 was a year of transformation on all fronts, and the economy has been transformed into a stronger and more resilient one, even though things are far from perfect.

The government and the Central Bank are playing their part, he added, but other partners have to carry on doing so as well, for instance interest rates on bank loans have to be reduced further.

Mr Michel said with the present economic stability, the banks have to make further adjustments to interest rates to make them more acceptable so as to encourage business development and allow people to borrow more to carry out various projects.

The President said he is urging the Central Bank to talk to the commercial banks on this issue.

The same transformation, through the consultative meetings that took place in the districts, has allowed the people to become more aware of their responsibilities and the government to become aware of problems people are facing in the communities and at national level.

Today we are ready to continue our move forward, all the while considering the views, wishes, visions and needs of the people, he said.

Mr Michel said such a transformation was bound to affect the most vulnerable in our society. While commending the amount of work that was done last year to help those in financial need, he said today the welfare agency has to be strengthened and its shortcomings addressed so it can better serve the needy and prevent abuse of the system.

He noted that the results of a review in the benefit “weights”, to reflect an increase in financial help, will be announced soon.

Mr Michel said the welfare agency is there and will always be there for all those in need of financial help, but at the same time he is encouraging everybody who is able to work to seek employment and not to depend entirely on the welfare system.
 
“There is work for everyone who wants to work,” said Mr Michel, stressing that this has resulted in the success of our economic reforms so far.

On the issue of law and order, when asked what he expects from the police in 2010, Mr Michel said he expects continued development and more professionalism so the force can guarantee law, order and public security.

He said there has been some improvement since the reorganisation of the force started last year, but he admitted much more needs to be done. This will take time as it depends on many factors, such as a change in mindset and attitudes, in the ways of doing things, empowerment and training of members of the force to enable them to better define their roles and responsibilities.

He said the drive to review the police will continue with more determination and vigour during 2010.
Concerning the fight against illicit drugs, Mr Michel said even though successes have been recorded, the fight is not over and the police should always be prepared and ahead of traffickers and dealers who are becoming ever more innovative in the way they conduct their dirty business.

“Our work should not stop here because for me it is important that we succeed in stemming the flow of drugs into the country which affects our children and young people,” said Mr Michel, stressing that the police will intensify their fight in this area.

The police have also recorded successes in other areas, for instance public order offences have gone down by 62% and housebreaking by 10%, but this progress has to be reinforced, Mr Michel stressed. 

The President said his greatest wish is for 2010 to be a better year for all Seychellois. He said it is important that we all continue to come together and work together to bring more progress and prosperity to our country. There will be more opportunities in 2010, and it is important for us to recognise and seize them.

“My wish is for the people of Seychelles to remain united, work hard, seize opportunities and look towards the future with confidence, much more confidence,” he said.