Local government reflects on achievements and challenges |09 September 2020

Representatives of the four government entities during the press conference (Photo: Jude Morel)

Principal secretary for local government, Marie-Celine Vidot-Jeannevole, has highlighted that her department had been able to achieve over 800 projects during the last four years but has now had to revise its strategies and projects for 2020.

Four government entities responsible for the country’s socio-economic wellbeing on Monday held a press conference to discuss their achievements over the last four years and highlight their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These were the department of local government, department of infrastructure, department of poverty alleviation and Agency for Social Protection (ASP).

To note, all four entities also form part of the rapid response committee brought together to better coordinate and ensure the well-being and social protection of citizens, particularly during the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The actions and activities undertaken over the last four years by the department of local government has been guided by its strategic plan. During this period, much emphasis has been placed on infrastructure developments, decentralisation of activities, improving services provided to the public on district level, formulating policies and a project developed an information system for the department of local development,” started PS Vidot-Jeannevole.

She however noted that this strategic plan has been revised to take into account the impacts of Covid-19, adding that the pandemic has also stalled some of the activities or projects planned for 2020.

“Like many other departments and agencies, the department of local government had to readjust its functions and operations in light of this new reality. During these last few months, district administration offices – guided by the department of health – have been the principal point of contact between residents and public services,” added PS Vidot-Jeannevole.

In fact the district administrations played a pivotal role in assisting those in need during the restriction of movement period, and even after, by providing humanitarian aid.

They assisted a total of 2864 non-health related cases, made provisions for temporary lodging in 4 centres and supported vulnerable groups in communities across Seychelles.

Each district has now developed its specific plan to deal with the pandemic in the community.

In regards to infrastructure development in districts, the department of local government has implemented 820 small projects at a value of R89 million.

For 2020, the department expects to complete 130 projects by the end of year at a value of R25 million.

The breakdown for construction projects over the course of the last four years are road access (24%), foot paths and steps (19%), walls (19%), sport facilities (10%), drainage (9%), bin sites (7%), railings (4%) and other small community projects (8%).

As for construction of day care centres in districts – considered as a top priority for early childhood development in communities – the department has already constructed and put in operations two day-care centres at a cost of R4.8 million. These are located in Anse Etoile and Bel Air, Sans Soucis, and they cater for a combined total of 130 children.

However four additional day-care centres have recently been completed in Takamaka, Anse Aux Pins, Glacis and Grand Anse Praslin, and tenders are out to find an operator for all four centres.

The construction of the four day-care centres amounts to R14.5 million.

Designed with all the modern early childhood standards in mind, the new four day-care centres will take in a total of 260 children.

Meanwhile, from 2016 up to July 2020, the department constructed 11 one-bedroom houses in its ‘pti payot’ programme – which assists old persons and those more vulnerable in the community – in 10 districts at a cost of R4.3 million.

The department has also responded to 711 emergency cases in districts during these last four years.

Elsie Pointe