Presidential election 2015: Parti Lepep launches manifesto |16 November 2015
Together we can accomplish the things we set out to do, says President Michel
Together we’ve achieved a lot as one people, together we will bring more unity and stability in our country, and together we can accomplish the things we set out to do, Parti Lepep presidential candidate James Michel has said as he outlined some of the main points contained in his party’s manifesto themed ‘Together’.
Before delivering his speech inside a packed International Conference Centre on Saturday afternoon, Mr Michel asked all present to observe a minute’s silence in respect of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris which occurred in the early morning of Saturday.
He said Seychellois are mature and intelligent people who won’t let themselves be fooled by politicians who are not au fait with the realities of the country.
“This is why we have to make the right choice,” said President Michel who added that the Seychellois people need honest and experienced leaders to move the country forward.
“They need leaders who understand their aspirations and desires, leaders who can take decisions in the country’s interest, leaders who can take on challenges, leaders who listen, consult with and stay connected with the people, leaders who don’t back down when the going gets tough, and leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth,” said Mr Michel who is seeking a third and final five-year mandate as president to serve the people of Seychelles.
He added: “This is what we are offering the people of Seychelles. I’ve told you before ‘I don’t have a magic wand to solve all our problems. Such thing does not exist. I’ve told you before that I cannot promise you the sky, I won’t make false promises’.”
He described the Parti Lepep manifesto as a document which contains all the necessary ingredients for the progress of all Seychellois over the next five years.
“Each one of us Seychellois can identify ourselves with this manifesto... It gives people of all ages hope, hope for a better future. Together we’ve achieved a lot as one people and together we will bring more unity, stability in our country. Together we will build a more modern and free country. And together we will bring more progress in the country so that we all live a better life,” remarked Mr Michel.
Some of the main points contained in the manifesto are:
1. Small and medium sized enterprises: Access to premises will be improved through an increase in buildings that are rented out to SMEs – particularly in the districts.
2. Further land reclamation to satisfy increasing demand for SMEs and housing.
3. My First Job: Subvention of 40% of salaries of young job seekers to increase participation of youths in SMEs. Government will also apply this policy to the youth to start their own ventures.
4. Introduction of a progressive tax system which will allow low-income earners to pay less tax.
5. Thirteenth month salary based on performance as an incentive to increase productivity and improve services delivery as of January 2016.
6. Health: Patients referred to specialist government facilities and services by private medical practitioners will have access to them free of charge.
7. Education: Students in private higher secondary institutions and professional centres will have the same access to allowances received by their counterparts in similar state institutions.
8. Laptop scheme: The scheme which is currently limited to S5 and professional centres’ students, will – as from next year – be extended to S4 students.
9. Graduates – Housing: The housing allowance of graduates will be extended to five years (from the present three years) and the allowance increased. All holders of Master’s degrees or their equivalent will receive R1,000 monthly starting next year.
10. Democratisation of renewable energy: A new scheme, which will allow for the installation of solar water heaters on houses will be implemented starting from January 2016
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Introduction, as of January 2016, of a “Civil Society Small Grant Programme” with the objective of assisting civil society organisations implement small-scale projects that have public benefit objectives.
12. Sports, arts and culture: (i) We will provide an annual grant to the elected district councils for the promotion of sports, arts and culture. (ii) We will establish special and dedicated funds for the promotion and development of talent and excellence in arts, sports and culture to be managed by representatives of stakeholders, government and by the private sector, which shall be encouraged to contribute meaningfully to those special funds through the CSR scheme.
13. Gratuity: The Lepep government will implement a revised gratuity scheme in January 2016.
14. ‘Handicapped’: We shall set up a special fund, with the collaboration of the private sector (which shall be encouraged to contribute meaningfully to that special fund through the CSR scheme) to spearhead programmes for physically and challenged people.
15. Social security pension: Will be increased as from December 2015 by R500.
16. Other pensions: The elderly who receive a government pension and/or a public sector special pension will also see an increase in their pensions.
17. Home improvement loans for pensioners: We will put in place a special home improvement loan (interest-free) to allow long-time homeowners, above the age of 63, to enable them to repair their houses. The loan will be interest free and will be implemented in January 2016.
As for Vice-President Danny Faure, who is also the secretary general of the party, he said Seychelles is now playing in the top league (high income country) under a top coach who should not be replaced by a Sunday league coach.
He was referring to presidential candidates whom he said are “disconnected with the reality in Seychelles and want to make the people believe we have not made any progress”.
When he referred to the Seychelles National Party’s theme ‘Time is Now’, vice-presidential candidate Faure said “the Time is now to give President Michel another five-year mandate ... and hand SNP a fifth defeat”.
He added that after renegotiating the repayment of loans with the Paris Club, Seychelles has started repaying its loans and only this year the country will pay back US $37 million, US $48 million in 2016 and US $58 million in 2017.
“Today, the Seychelles economy has grown by 4.2%, unemployment rate is 4%, tourism arrival has risen by 19%. There has never been a better time to live in Seychelles,” remarked Mr Faure.
Young graduate Bertrand Belle also gave an overview of the manifesto saying it should have a solid foundation otherwise all the policies it contains will not be achievable.