Continuation of State-of-the-Nation address 2006 |01 March 2006

The availability of foreign currency in our system depends on our ability to earn more of it. This is the approach I have advocated all along. And events and developments are proving that we are in the right direction, that this is the way forward.

As the economy becomes more buoyant, the foreign earnings potential will grow along with it. There has been an increase in the foreign exchange flows, especially in 2005 through new investments and direct flows from tourism related activities, the fishing sector and the tanker business of Sepec (Seychelles Petroleum Company).

With this rise, the Central Bank has started to implement new measures vis-à-vis foreign exchange payments.  The Bank has been encouraging the commercial banks to offer the Letter of Credit facility which is helping a number of importers, and this in turn has helped them to diversify their import base.

The Central Bank is currently reviewing the pipeline system in a bid to implement more flexibility, especially in allowing more clients to benefit.  There will be, for example, a provision for airlines.  This review will also allow more flexibility in how much is paid per request.

The overriding aim of the government in collaboration with the Central Bank is to see a foreign exchange market that is buoyant and able to meet the needs of clients to the maximum.

I am also having consultations with the Central Bank with the view of removing exchange controls.  This will be done in a phased manner such that the payment system is not affected in a negative way, that the financial system remains safe and sound, and that all banks adhere to best and prudential practices for the benefit of their clients. 

Mr. Speaker,
In parallel with our efforts to address the issue of foreign exchange, we are also closely monitoring our debt situation. Our current situation regarding debt is being managed comfortably.  There is no need for us to take any drastic decision which may affect the welfare of our people. 

Between the end of the year 2004 and today, Government has reduced its domestic debt by 15%.  At the same time we have negotiated agreements with a number of our international partners for reducing our debt.  We have also restructured our debt with most of our bilateral partners.  We have reduced our multilateral debt, and this year as our economy continues to perform well, we will make strong efforts to address our multilateral loans.  I am confident that if our economy continues to progress in the same way, in January 2007, we will be able to significantly address our bilateral arrears.

Mr. Speaker,
A dynamic economy has been and is one of the key objectives of my presidency: We have established fiscal discipline, streamlined investment, improved the operating conditions in the two motors of our economy - tourism and fisheries, provided new incentives for the private sector including small businesses as well as consolidated potential new pillars of our economy in the offshore sector and our tanker programme operated by Sepec. 

We are now moving towards further diversification both within our core industries and in identifying new potential areas of development. Our development plan over the next five years will provide a platform to maximize our foreign exchange earnings and reinvest in productive sectors.  Continued fiscal discipline, and reinvestment in the social sectors will also ensure that our social development is not challenged. Our dynamic economy will provide for the continuation of the “Seychelles Way”.

Our vision of the Seychellois is that of a people that is well-educated, healthy and hard-working and responsible; a caring and compassionate people; resilient and capable of facing and overcoming difficulties; patriotic and proud of their identity, their traditions and their values, and, at the same time, open to the world and to positive change.

For the last three decades we have been guided and inspired by a model that places people at the centre of development. We hold dear the principle that people are both the agents and the beneficiaries of development.

My Government will continue to put the interests of the Seychellois people foremost in all our policies and programmes.

The health and education systems that we have are among the great achievements of our young nation and they will remain among our top priorities. The contribution of teachers and health workers to the development of a nation is inestimable. I have great admiration for teachers and nurses who devote themselves selflessly to their students or patients. Like everybody else in our country, I wish to see our teachers, nurses and other health professionals provide the best education and health services possible. We also wish to see them have the best working conditions possible.

That is why we have recently revised the Teachers’ Scheme of Service. That is also why we have revised the 22 schemes of service in the health system. I am pleased to announce that the exercise has been completed and that the effective commencement date of the schemes is 1st January 2006.

Mr. Speaker,
Over the last two years we have increased spending on education infrastructure and resources. We are taking measures to ensure that pupils can study and teachers can work in a conducive and secure environment.

The Ministry of Education recognises that some pupils need additional support and is introducing an after-school-hours programme for teachers to help children who require such assistance with their homework.

At the same time the Ministry will further promote the involvement of parents in their children’s education and links between parents, the schools and the community through the Parents Educators Council and other initiatives. 

The development of human resources is the cornerstone of social and economic development. Following the adoption, last year, of the National Human Resources Development Policy which was formulated after wide consultation, Government will present legislation for a Human Resources Development Council and update the national HRD plan for the period 2006-2010.

Post secondary education is playing a key role in our future human resource development. I am pleased to note that 90% of students finishing secondary schools in 2005 have been accepted in a post-secondary institution in 2006. 

In the area of higher education we will continue to send our young people to recognised overseas institutions that provide cost-effective courses relevant to our needs. At the same time we will continue our efforts to provide courses locally through twinning programmes and increased use of distance learning in co-operation with overseas institutions. The Seychelles Institute of Management will strengthen its major role in human resource development. 

Mr. Speaker,
In the last two years we have paid increased attention to improving health facilities. A new clinical laboratory has been built. Improvements have been made to the health centres at Corgat Estate in Mont Fleuri, Glacis and Beolière. The construction of the new health centre at Beau Vallon has experienced delays, but is now being undertaken. At Victoria Hospital, the Accident and Emergency unit is being upgraded to provide better facilities and more privacy, and new equipment for several services has been acquired.

The Health Department will, during the course of this year, set up new diagnostic facilities including a new MRI. It will also introduce a scheme whereby foreign consultants will be in the country for a few months at a time to work alongside our Seychellois professionals on more complex medical cases. These visits will take place on a regular basis. While this will reduce the number of patients who have to go overseas for certain diagnosis and treatment and thus reduce costs and foreign exchange outflows, it will also provide greater opportunities for the development of our health system and its staff.

In spite of the great strides made, we do acknowledge that there are more improvements needed. I am confident that the measures and facilities being put in place will help us to meet the expected standards.
 
I take the opportunity today to call on all our teachers and education staff, all our nurses and health staff to uphold the honour of your noble professions and to act, at all times, with conscience, with professional ethics and with the wellbeing of those in your charge always in your mind and heart. I ask you to work in a spirit of co-operation and in synergy with colleagues and management. I want the Seychellois people to appreciate their health and education services because they are good services. I count on your support.

Mr. Speaker,
Our housing programme is an ambitious and costly one. But it shall remain  a major component in our programme to promote social justice and a good standard of living for all our people.

In 2002, 13,900 families or 69% of all families owned their own homes. Between 2002 to date, Government has delivered a further 850 houses under its social housing programme and has granted over 1,000 housing loans.  With the introduction of the first Home Ownership Scheme in 2003 and the New Home Ownership Scheme which I presented in my Budget address at the end of last year, the number of families now owning their own homes has risen to 16,500, or representing 75%. Between 2004 and 2005, 1,474 families have also been assisted with loans under the House Extension and Home Improvement schemes.

This is a remarkable achievement and we should be proud of it. It reflects the importance that my Government attaches to the ordinary person. Let us appreciate and celebrate this great success of ours. Let us also take good care of what we have.

Government will continue with its programme to assist our people in obtaining a decent house. 46 projects for a total of 3,257 housing units are in various stages of construction. We have experienced unfortunate delays with a major project, that of Ile Persévérance, This project – one of the largest housing projects ever undertaken - is expected to deliver over 2,000 houses to people in need. I am pleased to note that work has now started on both phases of the programme, with five local contractors involved. I expect rapid progress on site to ensure timely delivery.

During the course of this year, it is expected that 800 houses will be delivered from ongoing housing programmes for allocation to families. It is expected that 850 loans will be disbursed by the Housing Finance Company. Thus this year alone, some 1,650 families will be assisted in the housing sector. 

Government will continue to invest in the Land Bank programme as part of its overall housing programme. Over the next 5 years, Government will invest around SR50m in the Land Bank to make available an additional 400 plots at the rate of 80 to 120 plots per year. Currently, 140 new plots on Mahé are being developed with two main projects at Baie Lazare and Anse Etoile. Infrastructural works to existing estates are being completed across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.  

The Home Ownership Scheme that I announced in the 2006 Budget address has been well–appreciated. As at 23rd February 2006, 2,660 out of a total of 3,814 families have registered on the scheme and will become the owners of houses they occupy.  This represents 69% of those eligible to register under the scheme – an indication that people have realised the benefits of the scheme and have become more conscious of the importance of becoming homeowners.

I am pleased to announce that Government is now extending the scheme to benefit persons who were legally occupying Property Management Corporation (PMC) flats before 31st December 2003. Families who have been legally staying in a PMC flat for 15 years or more and who are up to date with their rent payments will have their flats transferred to them without any further amount to pay.

Families who have occupied their flats for a period less than 15 years will be able to buy their flats at substantially discounted prices. The scheme will take retrospective effect as from 1st January 2006 and will be open for two years from 1st March 2006. A total of 537 families stand to further benefit under the scheme and become homeowners. This will bring the total number of families who stand to benefit under the new Home Ownership Scheme to over 4,352.

I also wish to announce that Government has also taken into consideration those families who have been assisted with a PMC house after 31st December 2003. Effective 1st January 2006, all families legally occupying PMC flats and bedsitters between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2005 will also benefit from a 10% reduction in rent.  This is in line with my Government’s drive to further help families with a reduction in the cost of living.

We know that in the case of several families currently occupying bedsitters that these may no longer be appropriate to their needs. These bed-sitters will therefore not be sold. It is Government policy to assist these families to find permanent housing and we will endeavour to do so as soon as possible.

Helping our population to obtain decent housing is part of my Government’s overall programme to promote the well-being of the Seychellois. We have done much in the past years. There is more to do and we remain committed to our objective. I avail of this opportunity to reassure all families that are still awaiting housing that my Government remains committed to assisting them.

Mr. Speaker,
The Government will continue to promote the welfare of particular groups in our society - our children and youth, our brothers and sisters with mental or physical disabilities, the elderly and those in need of special attention.

The Social Services Department will strengthen co-operation with other ministries, organisations and NGOs working to address social problems and to promote good parenting and strong families.

Together with the Local Government Department, this Department will intensify efforts to work with disadvantaged families to empower them to improve their situation. We are in the process of setting up structures in the districts to help them to live a better life. 

The Social Services Department will play a lead role in the implementation and monitoring of the National Plan of Action for Social Development 2005-2009 and the National Programme of Action for Children and related activities arising from the 2005 national theme.

Mr. Speaker, our children can unite our society in a way that nobody or nothing else can.  The national theme for last year – “Our Children, Our Treasure, Our Future - focused society’s attention on our children.  During this year, as we Celebrate Seychelles, we should continue to promote the health and well-being and wholesome development of our children. 

Illegal drugs and alcohol abuse are problems that we must, as a society, address.

Drugs destroy lives. Drugs destroy dreams. They destroy our aspirations for progress. They benefit nobody but the traffickers.

Together with its partners, DAC (Drug and Alcohol Council) will pursue its campaign of sensitisation to help children and youth, the most vulnerable section of society, to the dangers of using and abusing drugs. Intervention programmes in schools involving students, parents and teachers, first introduced in Beau Vallon Secondary school, will be extended to other schools. DAC will also strengthen co-operation with international partners.

The Centre Mont Royal is doing commendable work in helping the victims of drugs and alcohol to kick the habit and regain control of their lives. In 2005 they worked with over 150 patients.

Last year the Psychiatry services at Victoria Hospital had 250 patients with alcohol-related problems and 176 with drug-related problems.

Government will give every support possible to the agencies working to address the problems of drugs and alcohol abuse.

But success depends on the combined efforts of all, not just the agencies, the police or the law courts. Parents and family members, friends and neighbours, religious organisations, political leaders, all who really care about the good of society, about law and order, about our future as a people, have a role to play in this important campaign. Let us join forces now.  

Mr. Speaker,
Community Development is at the heart of my vision for our people and our society.  Government has over the years established a system of decentralised provision of important services, including in health and education. Sports facilities have been built in several districts. We have recently introduced a system of environmental health officers in districts and we are doing the same for social workers. A business advisory centre has just been opened on Praslin.
It is Government’s intention to continue bringing services and facilities closer to communities with due regard to the size of our country and cost-effectiveness.

The Local Government Department will strengthen existing programmes in the communities such as those for senior citizens and for the disabled, Neighbourhood Recreational Activities, Family Affairs and emergency brigades. New initiatives will be introduced and the District Administrations will seek to involve inhabitants in matters of importance to their communities and promote more consultation. 

But all these rely on the participation of the inhabitants. Let us be involved in the life of our communities and our district.

It is important that we preserve the values of good neighbourliness and mutual help that characterised our communities and that, I am glad to say still exists but needs to be promoted. In these modern times, when we have the possibility of hopping on a plane to fly to a foreign city, let it not be too great an effort to cross the road to greet a neighbour or to come to assist him or her in a case of need. 

Let us strengthen the spirit of solidarity that exists in our society. Let us look out for each other.  Let us continue to live the Seychelles Way.

I recall that recently some basketball players organised a game to raise funds to assist a fellow player who was ill. I was touched by this small but eloquent gesture of solidarity that shows that we care for each other and do take initiatives to come to the assistance of our fellow citizens.  I congratulate the organisers of such gestures of solidarity which strengthen our society.   

The Local Government Department will pursue its programme of community projects such as access roads, small bridges and minor drainage works. Wherever possible an element of self-help and mutual assistance by residents will be included in these.

Over the years, Government has built secondary roads in every district to improve the accessibility of residents to essential facilities and amenities.  Public transport is increasingly able to access these roads.

Mr. Speaker,
In this year when we are collectively celebrating all the good things about our country, it is fitting that we remind ourselves of the value of our natural and cultural heritage.

Our physical environment, our land and sea and what they hold, provide the natural resources we depend on for our livelihood. Our natural environment is also intrinsically linked to our identity as a people and our culture

The issue of littering, waste management and public health is of great concern.  A healthy nation also depends on a clean nation.  Our economy also depends on a clean and healthy environment.  Significant steps have been taken in the management of public waste over the years. 

This year, the Environment Department will review the country’s waste management programme. The Department has recently launched the “Celebrate a Cleaner Seychelles” campaign to further sensitise the public on proper waste disposal and avoiding littering.

I appeal to all Seychellois and residents to join in this campaign. We are all aware of the health hazards posed by dumping and improper disposal of waste. We, Seychellois, have a proud tradition of keeping our homes clean. We need to improve where waste disposal is concerned.

Our streets and public areas should reflect the cleanliness of our homes. The streets, the public areas of our islands, the hillsides and the ravines, the beaches, the rivers and marshes, the sea, belong to all of us collectively. It is our duty and it should be our pride to keep them clean. Nature has done its part in giving us a beautiful country; let’s play our part in keeping it beautiful.

I should also like to set ourselves a challenge regarding Victoria. As our national capital, Victoria is of interest and is frequented by all Seychellois, residents and visitors. I am sure that it has a special place in the hearts of all of us, and that we would all wish to have reason to be proud of it.  In the next few years we must work to ensure that Victoria is clean and beautiful, well-organised and, within the possibilities of our resources, a lively and interesting place for our people and visitors alike. Victoria should reflect what the people of Seychelles stand for: Pride and Simplicity.

Mr. Speaker,
In relation to culture, the Sports and Culture Department launched the national culture policy last year. The policy covers several domains and aspects of culture and the arts and it is hoped that it will be a useful guide for all stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of cultural programmes this year and in the years ahead.

The Sports and Culture Department will continue to work with the various federations and other partners in the development of sports and physical recreation. Ethics, fairness and good governance in sports will be promoted. It is intended that Seychelles ratifies the International Convention against Doping in Sports. The National Anti-Doping Policy and Strategic Plan will be implemented this year.

The Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture in liaison with the Ministry for Education and Youth, will in the first half of this year take the first steps towards the setting up of a ‘Sports Etude’ project.  This project will help our young athletes to learn how to balance the pressures of training and competing in their respective sports with their schoolwork. 

The project will facilitate the transportation of young athletes between their homes, their training venues and their places of study.  Academic support will be provided in the form of one on one tutoring where necessary.

In the last two years, Government has provided artistes in our cultural industries with better access to materials and improved infrastructures.  We will continue to support them in any way we can.

Mr. Speaker,
The sustainability of the “Seychelles’ Way” and our continued development as a nation will depend on our ability to manage some of the more unpredictable and volatile aspects linked to natural phenomena as well as to globalization.  My Government is committed to further developing a ‘preparedness culture’ in our country. 

A preparedness culture does not depend only, nor primarily on Government initiatives.  It depends on every member of the Seychellois population contributing.  Government has set up mechanisms for example to develop a savings culture including the R1,000 grant for newborns to start a savings account and the setting up of the Pension Fund, but it depends on the contributions of individual Seychellois to make these mechanisms work in the long run.

One of the first new initiatives which we will be launching in the course of this year is an insurance scheme for farmers and for fishermen.  The tsunami of 2004 and flooding following heavy rains has shown us that very few of our farmers and fishermen benefit from insurance on the materials and infrastructure on which they depend for their income.

The Scheme has already been discussed extensively with our two local insurance providers - SACL and HSI - and a special board will be set up to implement it.  In research undertaken, the cost of insurance has been one of the main prohibitive factors, and we have already budgeted a Government subsidy of SR1 million to ensure that the scheme will be affordable for every farmer and fisherman who is interested. 

The scheme will also facilitate the procurement of loans by reducing the risk to banks and other financial institutions.

A preparedness culture also means that we should constantly be on our guard and take preventative measures to deal with increasingly global diseases that may threaten our public health.  The prevalence of HIV/Aids is unfortunately on the increase in our society and we must all make more prevention efforts while also providing support and understanding to those who are afflicted.  My Government has made a long-term commitment to providing anti-retroviral drugs to those in need.  Government and NGOs have also worked in tandem on prevention campaigns and I call on every Seychellois to play their part.

The recent cases of the spread of chikungunya fever in Seychelles emphasizes once again, the importance of us all working together to ensure the health of our nation.  I congratulate the Health Services, all other organisations and individuals involved for their efforts to contain the spread of this disease. We have to be vigilant: be it against chikungunya or avian flu or any other disease that may find its way to our shores.
 
Preparedness is also about conservation:  conservation of our natural resources that feed our industries, conservation of water and electricity.  As a small country, we cannot afford to be wasteful.  The development of our economy coupled with increases in housing means that the demand for treated water has doubled in ten years.  We have put in place different strategies to meet our water needs, and we will continue to develop new and innovative ways to ensure that our water needs are met.  Every Seychellois also needs to be mindful of not wasting water.  As a nation we need to develop habits that maximise the development potential of our resources. 

Similarly we should be careful in our use of energy.  Electricity requires imported oil to run the generators.

Our imports of petroleum products in 2002 totalled US $22.8 million. Our forecast for 2006 US $ 49.3 million. Seychelles is one of the few countries in the world which has not raised the prices of petrol, electricity or gas in response to the recent price hikes. We have been able to do this thanks to the commendable efforts made by Sepec and its strong performance in exports.  Sepec’s outlook is strong and no price rise is currently foreseen, but every Seychellois also needs to participate in the effort to ensure that we use electricity and petrol in a responsible manner which will make us stronger as a nation.

Mr. Speaker,
I firmly believe in as wide consultation as possible and in a Government that is close to the people. Government’s policies should be grounded in the people’s needs and aspirations.  Consulting is an element of my work and I intend to continue doing so.  
   
In the process of Government as a whole we are including more actors in decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented. This is promoting the culture of good governance in our country.

Professionals and the private sector are represented on various national boards and committees.

People directly involved in the operation of tourism businesses are represented on the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), for example. Small businesses have a member on the Joint Economic Council.

Mr. Speaker, I should also mention that Government is only one of the actors in governance.
The private sector also has a role to play, as does civil society. 

Good governance is also about a responsible opposition, a loyal opposition, an opposition that pursues its principles without undermining the welfare of the nation.

The responsible governance of our country also depends on a responsible press.  In Seychelles, anyone is free to put forward their opinions in public fora as well as in the various media outlets.  It is important that a responsible journalism is practiced which does not seek personal gain nor denigrate the country. 

I believe that good governance requires participation. It allows our nation to hear the views of as many of our people as possible. The good governance we are developing in Seychelles will make us more accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient. Good governance is about following the rule of law.

Good governance contributes to the building of an organized society that offers full protection of human rights. A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, to have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.

Mr. Speaker,
Law and Order has been, and will remain, a priority for my Government.  Certain improvements have taken place, evidenced by the reduction in violent crime reported over 2005. Further improvements are still required, nonetheless, and in this context I will undertake further restructuring and reform of the Department of Police this year. This will include the setting up of a National Intelligence Centre to combat serious crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, violent crime, and terrorism.

Organised crime knows no boundaries.  It can threaten our security and sovereignty as a nation.

The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces are providing efficient protection of our Exclusive Economic Zone and of our sovereignty. I wish to commend them for their role in this regard, as well as for their involvement in community development.  

Mr. Speaker,
Seychelles is gaining more and more visibility in the international arena. Improvements in our economic outlook coupled with our reputation as an idyllic holiday destination - images actively promoted by our Governmental agencies - have increasingly put Seychelles on the world map. 

Our objectives for 2006 and beyond include:
- To continue being a non-intrusive but active consensus builder on the 
   international scene
- To continue playing a constructive role in the United Nations particularly 
   concerning the ongoing reforms
- To further develop regional ties particularly in the IOC, Comesa and SADC
- To further strengthen our ties with our traditional partners as well as emerging 
   powers
- To consolidate and expand Seychelles’ image as a unique tourism destination
- To further establish Seychelles as a leader in environmental sector
- To further promote and develop Seychelles as a regional hub in relation to its 
  transport and communication services 
- To continue to create a favourable investment climate which will attract 
   developments of benefit to all Seychellois.

We are in the process of re-opening our embassy in Brussels and this will be followed in due course with the re-opening of our representation in Tshwane, South Africa.  A candidature for the post of Ambassador in Brussels has already been identified and will be presented shortly to the National Assembly. 

Our foreign partners continue to show increased confidence in Seychelles as indicated by our ever-expanding network of Double Taxation Agreements as well as our strong relations with numerous bilateral and multilateral organisations.  It is up to all of us to work together to build on this.

Mr. Speaker, dear Seychellois brothers and sisters,
Let us together continue to realise the vision that we share for Seychelles. We already have a solid base for this even better Seychelles, the Seychelles with a strong, dynamic economy and a caring, compassionate society.

It is up to us, all of us, to build on this base – together. Our children and we ourselves are the beneficiaries of development. It is also we who are the agents, the actors, who bring about development; through our hard work, our unity, our solidarity; through taking care of our health, the cleanliness of our neighbourhood, maintaining good relations with our neighbours; through ensuring law and order, peace and stability in our country; through proper use of services; through the love we have for our country and the determination to see it progress. 

We must look beyond whatever divisions there may be among us, beyond whatever difficulties we may have, beyond partisan politics, to look at the bigger picture; to look at the interests, now and in the future, of our country and all our people.

Mr. Speaker,
I do not believe in petty politics.  I believe in Seychelles. I believe in the Seychellois people. I believe passionately in the Seychellois way.

At the beginning of this year, a great man of our time, Nelson Mandela, when asked what was his resolution for 2006, replied simply:  “The only resolution I can make is that I should be of better service to the people”.

A statesman such as Nelson Mandela can teach us a remarkable lesson of courage, determination and political ethics. I think that such a resolution is valid for us all, and I would like to take the opportunity to pledge my services to the Seychellois people in this spirit. 

I make this pledge in all humility, to continue to work for every Seychellois, and where shortcomings exist to rectify them.  I will continue to lead, based on a spirit of consultation.  I will continue to stress the importance of hard work - there is no replacement for it.   

In the last thirty years we have travelled a long road together. In spite of difficulties, in spite of some shortcomings, this road has been as a road of progress, of progress that our parents and the older ones among us might not have dreamed of or thought possible for what was this small, isolated and poor country of ours.

The younger generations have not lived the days of the poorer Seychelles of their parents. They have not experienced first hand the immense changes that have taken place in our country over this relatively short period of time.

But that was precisely the aim of those who have worked hard throughout those years to make Seychelles a better place. They worked so that their children and the future generations would not know the hardships that they had lived, to create a fairer and more just society where all - irrespective of background, of origin, of the consequences of our history thus far - would be able to have the same opportunities in life, to live in dignity and realise their potential.  

I take the opportunity today to thank all who have contributed to the building of Seychelles over the years, all the women and men who have worked hard and, often selflessly, to create the Seychelles that we know today.

I wish, on behalf of the Seychellois people, to thank also the foreign countries and multilateral organisations that have assisted us in our development efforts.

We have received assistance, assistance that we have used properly and for the purposes they were given and which, together with our hard work, have contributed to our achieving most, if not all, of the Millennium Development Goals that have been set as targets for developing countries to attain by 2015. 

Dear people of Seychelles, let us take up the challenges that we face. Let us have confidence in ourselves and in the future. Let us rededicate ourselves to work together for our country.  We have succeeded so far; we will continue to succeed and progress if we remain united, if we ensure the peace, stability and harmony that have brought us this far, if we co-operate with each other and work hard.

The first two lines of the preamble of our Constitution read thus:

“We, the People of Seychelles, 
Grateful to Almighty God that we inhabit one of the most beautiful countries in the world…”

Yes, dear brothers and sisters, our Seychelles is one of the most beautiful countries on God’s earth. We are indeed blessed.

Let us celebrate the Seychelles that God has given us and keep it safe and beautiful.

Let us celebrate the work of those who came before us and work hard to consolidate and build on their achievements.

Let us celebrate the unity and solidarity of the Seychellois people.

Let us work together for more success for Seychelles. 

Our work, we dedicate to our children, who will take our Seychelles forward.

God bless Seychelles and the Seychellois people.

I thank you.