Live Presidential press conference ‘A lot of positive things happening despite Covid-19 pandemic’ By Marie-Anne Lepathy and Roland Duval |06 August 2021
President Ramkalawan
A lot of positive things are happening in our country despite the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us, President Wavel Ramkalwan has said as he congratulated all the people who are working hard to make things happen.
President Ramkalwan said this at State House yesterday afternoon before the start of his third live press conference since taking the highest office in the country in October last year.
He gave as example the tourism sector which is picking up remarkably well and this is thanks to the opening of new markets while most of our traditional ones remain closed and others are just beginning to reopen. He said the people working on the new markets are doing a remarkable job which is not easy at all but they have nevertheless succeeded in bringing in visitors and this is a very good sign for the future of our country.
“I believe that our future is bright, but we should not place emphasis only on the number of visitors but more on the amount they spend while they are here. All indications are showing that visitors are indeed spending,” President Ramkalawan has said.
He has called on all actors in the tourism industry ‒ big and small ‒ to be more innovative to bring in products and services to make the visitors spend more.
With regards to the changes that the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) is undertaking in its operations under its new board, President Ramkalawan said the company has already made a saving of more than R20 million.
Before answering journalists’ questions, President Ramkalawan also had words of condolences and sympathy for families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.
IMF’s approved economic reform programme for US $107 million
President Ramkalawan has said there are lots of conditions attached to the International Monetary Fund-approved economic reform programme to the tune of US $107 million. A first disbursement of US $31.2 million has completed and he has described it as a “facility for budget support.”
“The conditions require a lot of discipline on the part of the government.
“In relation to Air Seychelles, the IMF made one thing very clear. It does not want one cent of its money to go towards Air Seychelles. There are two things with Air Seychelles ‒ the bond holders who are still looking for their money and the government which has set up a committee which by September should present a report to assess the future.
“Air Seychelles is not just an aircraft. It has its international and domestic elements, along with ground handling. The first two are running at a loss, while only ground handling is making a profit,” President Ramkalawan explained.
“So, as a whole, Air Seychelles will never stop its operations and any future decisions will be in relation to its operations,” he added.
Regarding other conditions, he said there will be no pay cuts and no redundancy.
“These things are being said just to scare people. As a responsible government, we are saying that every organisation should show how to provide good services based on their budget,” he said.
Agreement with IMF a success
“The mere fact that the IMF agreed to support and accompany Seychelles in its recovery process is a success because it shows that the institution believes in the progress and development the country is making,” President Ramkalawan has said.
He further noted that our democracy has brought about political stability which fosters investors’ confidence and an increase in foreign direct investments.
Freedom of expression more present than never before
There is not a moment in the country’s history than today that the people have more freedom for self-expression.
President Ramkalawan gave this answer when asked if people cannot talk whenever they see something wrong or suggest areas where the government can improve as each time they are told “let the government work.”
The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has many platforms to get people to express themselves, including press conferences of political parties which are broadcast live.
State House does not get involved in the running of the SBC.
Not a single person has been brought to court for expressing him or herself.
It would, however, be better if the people are educated beforehand so that they can at least have a basic knowledge of the subject before expressing themselves.
Seychellois are free to express themselves as much as they want, as long as they do not cross the boundary that is putting the country’s security at risk.
13th month salary to be discussed
When asked if the 13th month salary will be included in the new budget, President Ramkalawan replied: “We have to be realistic. We cannot borrow money to just give it away. The 13th month is a subject which has to be discussed.”
‘If you decide to live on the wild side, expect the reaction to be harsh’
“It is important to differentiate between the force used and the rule of law. In an operation, there are different types of tools that are used, including firearms. In the case of Eden Village, it was necessary to fire warning shots. It is also important to note the contribution of the army during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As for someone who decides to get involved in drug activities, he/she should be aware that he/she has become an outlaw. If you decide to live on the wild side, expect the reaction to be harsh.
“Again, in the case of Eden Village, it was their member of the National Assembly who enquired about the presence of the police in the district. It is the objective of the government to deal with drugs and any other form of criminality. The police will always get the support of the military whenever there is a need.”
Journalists’ safety important
“It is normal for journalists to be present at a scene to provide coverage, but it is also normal for the police to clear the area as a way of protecting journalists as well as themselves,” said President Ramkalawan when asked if the government can reassure journaliststhat the government will be given full support when doing their job.
“It is also important for journalists to co-operate with the police for their own safety.”
Are there two different standards for visitors and locals visiting La Digue?
“It is basically about the rapid antigen test and the reason why visitors do not need to do it is because prior to entering the country they did a PCR test. If a Seychellois had just travelled, he or she can also travel to La Digue.”
Filming and photographing police officers
“Recently there was a case at Beau Vallon where a police officer used excessive force against a citizen and it was through video evidence that the incident was made known.
To deal with such situations, body cams are being considered to help identify any violation. This will be a method to ensure that the police carry out their duty appropriately.
The future of cryptocurrency
President Ramkalawan has said that a high percentage of cryptocurrency goes through Seychelles-registered companies, but at the same time, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is always looking at different possibilities.
“It is also important to note that the issue of crypto currency has created a lot of problems for Seychelles, including being blacklisted by the European Union. At the moment, the main focus is to remove Seychelles from the black list of the European Union, as at times Seychelles encounters problems when transferring money as there is the issue of correspondence banking.”
Resumption of sports activities
“Sports are definitely one of the elements on our agenda once the Covid-19 pandemic slows down, restriction on sports will be among the first to be lifted. For now, individual sports are permitted,” President Ramkalwan has said.
Failure to deliver according to LDS’ manifesto
“Each ministry is using the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) manifesto to see how to deliver on their mandate. It is important to note that the manifesto is a five-year programme, not nine months.
“The main frustration is about corruption since all those who have misused public funds are still free,” President Ramkalawan has said.
He noted that a lot of work is being done but this will be a continuous and gradual process and people have to be patient.
Fight against corruption still too slow
While the new government has always talked strongly about fighting corruption, the general feeling among the population is that the results are too slow.
President Ramkalawan has said that people have to be patient. He noted that a lot of work is being done that people do not know of.
He said in government for instance they are addressing and reviewing all the different practices and ways of doing things that were encouraging corruption. In line with such practices he noted that since a new board has been appointed at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) the level of theft that has been discovered is extraordinary.
With regard to the Anti-Corruption Commission ofSeychelles (ACCS), President Ramkalawan said a lot of work is being done and there, again people should be patient as there is an investigation process to be followed and evidence collected as proof in different cases. He said there are certain cases that are at the Attorney General’s office and he is satisfied that a lot of work is being done and is optimistic that in the near future people will hear some tangible results.
FPAC and the Air Seychelles case
President Ramkalawan noted that after Transport Minister Antony Derjacques made a statement in the National Assembly in June this year about an investigation to find missing millions in the accounts of Air Seychelles, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) soon after wanted to meet with all relevant stakeholders and office bearers of the airline in a public hearing.
The president stated that members of the LDS requested that the hearing be postponed until after the report on the investigation comes out and it is only then that the FPAC would have a report to work on.
President Ramkalawan also pointed out the possibility of a court case in relation with the bond holders, adding that all these issues have to be considered before any public hearing is conducted.
Livestock Trust Fund has dried out
Answering reports that the Livestock Trust Fund that came into effect in 2014 to help farmers cope with their cost of production, has dried out, President Ramkalwan said this is a big concern for the government, but all famers will receive the full support of the government.
He noted that the money in the fund comes from a levy on imported meat, adding that the ministry concerned is working hard to find a solution to the situation and soon the public will get more details on the matter.
President Ramkalawan also said the government is working to finalise an insurance policy for farmers and is also exploring all different possibilities to help them develop in their noble tasks to produce more locally so that the country can eventually curt on importation.
A stimulus plan for businesses?
While he did not deny that some businesses are facing difficulties, President Ramkalwan noted that some of these businesses are seeking for gainful occupation permits (GOP) to bring in numerous foreign workers.
At the same time, he remarked that many businesses complained that they could not pay the salaries of their employees during the first months of pandemic and sought help from government through the FA4JR scheme, but months later those same business owners bought BMWs at auction.
President Ramkalawan said it is time that businesses know what they want. He noted that one cannot deny that many businesses are picking up and government is doing all it can to improve the conditions for businesses to thrive and businesses have to be honest and support their fellow Seychellois in this difficult time.
ACCS investigates corruption, not FIU
President Ramkalwan has said it is the role of the Anti-Corruption Commission ofSeychelles (ACCS) to assist the government to investigate corruption cases and not the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The responsibility of the FIU is different. It does it investigations and then hand the results over to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit (FCIU) within the police force for any prosecution.
Government’s plan for methadone programme
Even though the methadone is a costly programme with numerous controversy surrounding it, the government has no choice but to continue administering it to try and save our fellow brothers and sisters who have been caught in the vices of drug addiction.
“We do not want people to remain on methadone. We want them to complete their treatment and move on to contribute towards the country’s development,” said the President.
But he noted that the matter will have to be discussed at length and other possible alternatives and solutions explored.
Government to acquire Pfizer vaccines
President Ramkalawan has announced that the government is in the process to acquire the Pfizer vaccine through different donations from private individuals and the US government and details of this process will be revealed in due course.
TRNUC lacks resources and calls for more government support
There has been serious discussions between the Truth and Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade to discuss matters related to the commission. But President Ramkalawan said he does not at all appreciate when the chairperson of the TRNUC, Gabrielle McIntyre airs the commission’s concerns in statements during its public hearings instead of through discussions with the department of finance.
He noted that the TRNUC has also requested for a significant increase in its budget from R12 million to R32 million for its operations among other requests.
The president said the country is making a lot of sacrifices and times are really hard and the country has to spend as per its means.
Seychellois repatriated from Iran
President Ramkalawan has announced that a young Seychellois man who was being held against his will in Iran has been repatriated and arrived in the country on Wednesday.
He noted that he is not the young man who appeared in a video on social media recently.
More details on the case will be made available to the public in due course.
Maritime security agreement with the United States
On this issue, President Ramkalawan noted that Seychelles will never compromise but maintain its sovereignty but at the same time it has its role to play on the international scene. But more importantly he stressed that we need the support of other countries with the capacity to help us protect our territory.
Furthermore, he noted that there are various other possibilities that Seychelles could explore through such an agreement to assist it in its development.
Government decision to hold unity meeting with opposition
President Ramkalawan has said that his government always invites the opposition to different high level meetings and other national events but they ignore the invitations.
They were invited on the platinum committee and decided to leave. They were invited for the flag-raising ceremony on Constitution Day, the ceremony to mark Independence Day but they did not turn up. They were invited because Seychelles is for all of us.
“The opposition does not want unity and it is doing all it can to destroy the country. But the door is always open for the opposition whenever they decide to respond to our invitation,” President Ramkalawan said.
Through lack of support artists are frustrated
“Artists have all the reasons to be frustrated in view of the difficult economic situation, but they have to pull themselves together, be innovative and fend for themselves and their families in any way they can and if they get an opportunity to perform abroad, seize it,” President Ramkalwan said, noting that the government encourages innovations but cannot assist them financially.
He said they need to reinvent themselves and also learn to do new things to survive in these difficult times.
The president also answered numerous other questions on a variety of other issues.
At the end of the conference the head of State commended the journalists for their questions which he said have allowed him to shed light on and clarify various public concerns.
He has encouraged the journalists to always find both sides of all stories to give more balanced and objective news reports to the Seychellois public.