Government strongly condemns Regar article on Felicite |13 May 2006

In a press release issued Friday May 12, Government has said that the contents of the article are blatant lies aimed at discrediting its image on the eve of an election and has challenged the opposition newspaper to provide proof to substantiate the allegations made in the article.

The article, according to the press release, forms part of a series published by the Regar  newspaper aimed at persuading the Seychellois public to believe that Government is giving away land to friends and to people who have connections.

“Government is shocked and concerned by the repeated and malicious attempts made by the Regar newspaper to fabricate and promulgate such false allegations and calls on the Seychellois public not to believe such irresponsible lies,” says the press release.

The press release affirms that Government has not received any projects at this point in time from any investor for the development of Felicite Island, reiterating that there are very clear, well-defined procedures for leasing of Government properties for development.

“Developers wishing to put forward a proposal for investment to Government have to do so through the Seychelles Investment Bureau whereby the process of consultation is initiated with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Land Use and Habitat,” the press release explains.

With regard to Felicite Island, Government has not received any project proposal for its development, the press release concludes.