Letter to the Editor - ‘Giving with the right hand and taking with the left?’ |21 July 2017

While reading a recent issue of Seychelles NATION, the following advertisement caught my immediate attention:

‘Development at Anse Lazio?

A development free beach?

How would you like to see Anse Lazio in the future?

Would you like to see a developed Anse Lazio or a development free beach?

Come and have your say!

The future of Anse Lazio is in your hands!’

As much as I am “for” allowing the public for their input in such issues, yet in this one case, it is crystal clear that the Seychelles Planning Authority has its personal agenda…it is acting maliciously along with the Ministry of Tourism.

What is the Planning Authority insinuating by all those questions to the public? Is the Authority trying to put words in the mouth of the public in THAT PARTICULAR case??

If the premises in Anse Lazio belonged to the government or well-connected citizens, would that case have taken the same stance by the Planning Authority!!??

Where exactly is Anse Lazio? Or where exactly are we calling Anse Lazio? Is it the land? Is it the beach?

Or is it both?

If we are referring to the land part, there are already developments there, such as Bonbon Plume and Chevalier. Aren’t those two encumbering the beach? In the same context, will Mr Alwyn Talma’s development on HIS premises at Anse Lazio cause interruptions to the daily movements on the beach?

Is Mr Talma’s development going to ruin Anse Lazio as one of the most pristine beaches in the world?  I do not think so! Knowing Mr Talma for his high level of professionalism, integrity, principles and patriotism!

How many well-connected citizens from all walks of life have had the privileges of building left, right and centre all over Seychelles, paying no respect, no attention, whatsoever to the beaches, sea, forests, hills…..environment in general!!??  Was there any consultation meetings!!??

Digesting the Planning Authority’s and that of the Ministry of Tourism’s hidden and malicious agenda, I feel disgusted, and on the other hand I feel empathy towards Mr Alwyn Talma, who has been a fighter  for his dreams, all along for the past 33 years. “Chapeau to him”!!

Where the government is concerned, in the case of Mr Alwyn Talma, this is simply a matter of “giving something with the right hand and taking back with the left hand”!!

I am sure Mr Talma will be present in the consultation meeting on July 27 and stand firm, fully aware that HE IS THE DRIVER OF HIS OWN LIFE AND NOT TO ALLOW ANYONE TO STEAL HIS SEAT!!!!!!

And hey you good, selfless people out there especially on Praslin…please back him up and give him your level best support!!!! Am sure he will appreciate greatly.

Noëmie Woodcock

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this letter are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Seychelles NATION newspaper.