Recently, it was announced from Dubai, that Dubai Airports was to build the new Seychelles International Airport. In Seychelles, the matter was pretty much silent.
Consequently, the LDS Opposition called in the new Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Alain St. Ange, to reply to questions on the veracity of this agreement. St. Ange seemed to be playing catch up on the question.
Welcome Dubai Airports To Seychelles
The announcement of Dubai Airports Seychelles project should be welcome by Seychelles. It is a Golden Opportunity,that will cement Seychelles Tourism Industry, with a serious partner who has earned the reputation as delivering " The Best International Airport Experience in The World". Dubai leads the world in airport technology, and know how. Dubai has become the envy of the United States in airport infrastructure, to the point that Donald Trump, President elect has said UAE has run circles around America in this field.
Negotiate A Solid Lease
Seychelles should negotiate a serious lease with Dubai International. This should include, new terminals, double run ways, deadline for non performance, guaranteed lease payments, heavy penalties for delayed construction, and preferential rates for Air Seychelles, reserved duty free shop space for local business, and other concessions .
The lease should be for 25 years. Thereafter, the airport shall be handed over to Seychelles government, or lease renegotiated. The deal is a no brainer and all parties should support it. Why?
We Are Bankrupt
We are bankrupt, that is why we should all support this project. Seychelles does not have the money needed $400 Million to build a new airport. Mauritius had the PRC build their new airport, and Mauritius is booming today, while we are falling behind, bickering, over nonsense, and allowing half witted politicians make a call, without considering the consequences of the call. If we do not make a serious deal on the international airport now, we will condemn another generation of Seychellois to poverty, who will join the 49% already listed there, under the GENIE INDEX.
Take Revenues Out of The Hands of The Corrupt
Another advantage of a lease agreement with Dubai Airports, is we will remove once and for all the corrupted elements of the good old boys, scamming revenues and opportunities, for themselves, at the expense of the Nation. Targets need to be set that the Lessee will have to meet, give guarantees. It's a no brainer.
If Dubai does not build the airport, our other option is a refurbishment financed by New Dehli.........but do not expect a new roof, just some fresh paint.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
41 comments:
Excellent perspective. Seychelles should seize this opportunity now. No time to waste.
A new grade A airport will establish us as a serious hub in the Indian Ocean, making numerous other airlines stop over a viable option.
Definiteviely ...we should support the deal ....I mean the deal ....if conditions entails reflects what the article above proposes such as a 25 year lease then give it back to Seychelles government........keeping in Mind that an Airport is part of countrys STRATEGIC asset......There is no doubt that ABU DABI would construct a new airport that Seychelles government would not be able construct .....WE ARE BANKRUPT as the article pointed out...
That pl government stays quiet on the issue and provide NO public information and details is another Pl dictatorial mentality that must be radicated .......I remnind Faure of his own words"We are the servants of the people thus accountable to the people"So provide information to the people Faure.
I noted also ,,,in the plan above I can see NO JETWAYS ...to ensure that during the high season which happens to be the raining season too ,,,,passengers can BOARD OR DEBAORD aircrafts via JETWAYS ,,so that they donot need to walk in the rain on the tarmac.......For me having JETWAYS is and must be a part of a Modern ,new airport........WE CANNOT BUILD A NEW AIRPORT But still let passengers walk into the rain PL.......
To increase productivity and efficiency within the country's aviation industry ,and match demand and services.Seychelles Airport is behind its neighbour in regards to quality and tandard ..it is high time to get an airport that reflects Seychelles aimge ....An Airport gives visitors the first impression of Seychelles ,,,,
In the vicinity of the new airport ,,there would be also a domestic boat service Dock ...which means Cat coco with either further increases its monopoly ,,or the ogvernemnt take the best option which would be to allow competition in the domestic boat services .....CA>TCOCOC cannot be allow to monopolize the domestic boat service ....there must be completion to radicte monopoly,bring prize down and provide more efficient services and choices for public ...
Can pl known for its inability to make good deal for Seychelles be up to the task this time around ---or corruption would guide their deal thus give us a bad deal that would earn us peanuts as many previous deals made by Pl? We would have to be informed by government ,,in details what would be the shor tand long term benefit for Seychelles and Seychellois.....
Reading this article I am impressed with Gill. He has a keen insight and opts for what is best for the country. This man needs to be consulted more often by Le Pep and LDS so you people get things right. We can no longer afford to make blunders.
As always ,,hope Faure government see it the same way too,or at least note down the prospective proposes by Gill such as DUTY FREE shops ,solely reserve for Seychellois not foreigners,25 years least than give back to seychelles among other things.
8.19,,,Seychelles due to her geographic position could be THE MAJOR HUB in the region......We could probably see..... airlines like QANTAS ..today flying over seychelles to Mauritius ,stop here with visitors from Australia ..the later is a potential visitor provider both Australians and the many seychellois living there coming home more often.etc..etc..etc
The potential is there....
Ferry facility next to airport is an idea that is not feasible or make economic sense.
The position of ferry should be kept at inner islands. This will give taxi operators (500) business.
Visitors need to be streamline to spend money as they travel internally. Seychelles needs to be treated as a Disneyland.
Each stop should be a chargeable ride. The country needs to earn revenue along the way.
Government focus needs to be bring down cost of living and cost of doing business, not making a holiday as cheap as possible for Visitors.
We need to place infrastructure in place to generate national revenue a little at a time. It adds up.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
CGill
HOW EASILY WE SEYCHELLOIS FORGOT SOMETHING..........
NOT TOO LONG MAYBE THE SAME GROUP WERE CRYING ARAB GO HOME AFTER SPILLING DELO KAKA LAMISERE..
NOW MAYBE SOME OF THE SAME GROUP WANT ARAB AS OUR "SUGAR DADDY" FOR AN AIRPORT.....
HOW EASILY WE FORGOT......
ZIS MAZINEN.....
7:55
I cannot speak for you, but I will speak for myself. Here it goes-
When I support the Delo Kaka plight, it was not because I was anti Arab. It was because I was pro Seychellois and knew something must be done given that contaminated kaka water was being drunk by citizens.
When I supported the call for protest over La Misere land being sold to Khalifa for SCR. 1.0 it was not because I am racist. It was because this practice is unacceptable, given Michel Administration failed to disclose why he sold this land for SCR. 1.0. Today we know why. He took over $ 250 Million from Khalifa over the years, to cover his failure.
Back to the airport.
This is a business rtransaction, the UAE group is making a substantial investment. It is not for SCR. 1.0. I understand this transaction will exceed $250 Million. In that we must secure a decent airport to consolidate our industry. Do you have any other options in the foreseeable near future?
I have an option. Each ticket is tagged a $52.00 fee for the airport. This amounts to near $20 million per annum. If cronies were not scamming this money, it would go to building an airport. Because it has been scammed, it is not a source of seed funding.
So what are the choices?
Can we afford to twiddle our thumb for an indefinite period?
What will we say to those 49% living under the poverty line as a People?
Sometimes, racist tendencies can have lasting effects. Be smart.
As circumstance change, you must too evolve, or be left to perish.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
CGill
1:28
I am all for change and not "TIR LA MET LA" and hope thing will change.
Another ferry close by the new airport with paid parking lot would be nice idea and will void traffic congestion at the present one unless one want to see zonm-lib.People from O-van can have less frustration while going for instance Praslin.
People in the North can use the exsisting one. That way all taxi drivers will benefit.
BTW we all have been calling the kettle black! Even you and me.
Have a good night
Ferry activity next to the airport reduces opportunity for taxi drivers to earn a living.
There are 500 hundred of them on Mahe.
If they do not each earn between 25,000.00- 30,000.00 a month gross they will hit the streets in protest.
Then what will you do about your branding, black kettle?
The infrastructure for ferry already exist in town, why duplicate it and waste more money reinventing the wheel?
These ideas, you promote are the same ideas and attitude that short changes Seychelles every day. They are knee jerk, not thought through. We can no longer afford to lose out with bad ideas.
CGill
article should read - Abu Dhabi Airports. Thank you Father!
CGill
Totally agree ,not to mention SPTC would also be hit,the latter already operating at lost.....Or else the JETTY shown in the plan is to cater Airport FIRE brigade equipment such as rescue boats etc.....Seychelles economy needs sustainability not monopoly and policies that defranchizes small companies.
To deal with traffic congestion .......I find Pl long but now abandoned blah blah on a RAIL LINE or interesting to deal with congestion on roads than a pier .....
For instance,a TRAM (known in the USA as streetcars)or TROLLEYBUS Line would be more effective to deal with traffic jam on or from and to victoria/airport than a jetty.It would not defranchized taxis but improves SPTC's public transport services ,reducing of fossil fuel cost,and creating new types of jobs .such as railways specialists ,engineers,,operators ,conductors. etc......
12:39
The fundamental idea of alt. Transport is a critical point to address congestion in town.
However, I find the proposal by Barry Laine for a rail from Anse Royale to be foolish.
Here is the simple reason-
It will render transportation subject to the mono rail always working. If there is a break down, Anse Royale residents and on wards will have to walk.
The better approach would be to seek out alternative transport, that is hybrid based. SPTC should focus on transporting children to school.
A fleet of Omni buses, privately owned should engage in other routes, to stimulate private ownership. This will provide opportunities to drivers, which seem to be numerous in Seychelles, judging from the amount of taxis we have.
Taxi base needs to be placed in a common parking area on out skirts of town. Interior rail system should be put in place, or a form of public transport using electric car tech and designs so people can hop on and hop off any where without town vicinity. Here I would advise government consult with e cars, who has a wide line up of public transport electric vehicles at a fractional cost of other proposals.
Need to take the hassle out of Victoria. Second the ideas that do this must be realistic, practical, don't give government a hurdle it cannot jump.
C.Gill
Fantastic insight........unfortunately there is not a lot in the pl who can think meticulously like you........Frankly ,you making a good proposal.Food for thought for Barry and gang.
I am all for a second local jetty at the new airport instead of heading thru traffic until Victoria.
New development should spread around NOT only in town.
It's already crowded, we don't need anymore congestion.
Some people don't like what I am suggesting.
People from รด' van want better treatment and live matters too!
Au Cap Observer
We can place a second jetty at Anse Royale. It can do Anse Royale Victoria, inter island quay.
They will avoid traffic, reduce traffic, get to town by ferry shuttle.
This will solve the problem in part.
CGill
Second jetty(near airport to kill taxis and promote Catcoco monopoly when Seychellois are asking to radicate monopoly)..........traffick congestion in Victoria is not cause by passengers coming from Praslin and la digue......And people of Mahe do not use boat to move around....
Unlike the jetty near th airport,,,..a jetty to serve Victoria/Anse Royal this would be a beneficial project (than Barry train)to deal with traffick congestion ......not the jeety near airport that would bring Praslinois ,Digous directly to the airport thereby kill taxi services....
In other words ...No need for a new National or Domestic or inter island jetty near airport ,the one in Victoria in enough ...but a Local means of transport to decongest routes from Victoria to Anse Royal ... .YES.......for its an economic potential and provide an effective ,reliable ,necessary solution to traffick jams and congestion on this route....
Taxi drivers will not be killed........people will only pay extra if a second jetty is being built at the airport
i think it will be great, let get this project going.
There will never be Anse Royale Express which SPPF alias PL projected decade ago.
Anse Royale Express (ARE) also known as Albert Rene Express never materialize !
A taxi driver.
Ferry boat service is incompatible with IATA regulations any way.
You cannot have a boat ferry operation at an international airport.
Block it.
Taxi Driver
Taxi 6:02 AM
I can see you are an early Taxi.........there is nothing wrong with one at the airport.
Seychelles will not be the first one who have a jetty at an airport.
We say give a try.... Let see what we can see new..... We are tired seeing the Tatas going up and down breaking the road.
Boats will not break road.
We should not be looking what others have or not .....like being fellow fashion monkeys ..but what best and suitable for us ........In other words ,you donot go and build sky crapers,or build space rockets, because others built though we donot need them for it would destroy and polluate the natural beauty of our country. --Monkeys imitate others ....there is no need to spend money to build a new jetty 200 meters from the actual one........it is not sustainable...no necessary,, ..
In fact .taxi drivers should start now ;not when Pl has built it ,,,make their opposition heard and very loud ,because then it would be too late.
Well TATAs are not the right types of buses that fit Seychelles roads ..but Pl ordered them because it has to please Indians..........there are new model of buses today on world market and hydrid,electrical ,modern ,air-conditioned.....the right seize for Seychelles roads ....but PL seems to like Indain Low-Tech and craps.......Boat will surely< not break roads they operate at sea ..but road are being broken becvause ...1)road also msut be well calculated before build ..to ensure it would support the right tonnage ----that is the waything is done in western world ...the calculate first ,the types of transport that these roads would cater ,then build them according ...Seychelles roads are just being build without pre--calculation on..WHat types ,weight ..seize of vehicles use them....... in other words ,our roads are being broken into pieces because they wee not built to cater pick up with 5 tonnage .tata buses with 20 ton each .......
RAODS are not build by pl to cater heavy vehicles management.
6:56 you obviously do not know what is brewing under your nose with the 500 taxi drivers on Mahe.
While you dabble with your airport jetty, I must dig into the World Bank Report on Vertical Integration.
CGill
7:05
It seem to me you are so concern about your 500 taxi drivers...... How about the rest Kreol getting frustrated heading to town with traffic congestion everyday during pick hours trying to catch katkoko to Praslin. Does our lives should matter too?
Let our good Sugsr Daddy Arab Friend build a jetty!
10,47
I totally agree with you and your bright innovative ides.
When our seselwa bro and sisters return from overseas to Praslin and Ladigue we don't have to stay overnight on Mahe
Thanks to our gracious Arab friend. When we have more then one jetty, means more competition and maybe lower prices.
This is what's been missing in Seychelles for long time.
Competitions
If traffic is the issue, change the ferry schedule.
If taxi drivers cannot eat in Seychelles no one will.
They will destabilize the tourism industry and we will all lose.
This is the reality.
We do not mind if UAE builds the airport. It serves the public and inbound flights, which they benefit directly from.
Any ferry expansion should be funded by owners of ferry themselves, unless World Bank agrees to fund 30 year repayment low interest infrastructure loans .
Right now, they are reluctant, given that the economy is vertically and horizontally integrated, and proves to be an unhealthy situation economically for Seychelles, keeps us below 4% GDP, high bank interest. We should have 7% GDP by now, with low bank interest rates.
Interesting reading this World Bank material.
CGill
4,21
The solution cannot be destroyed taxi services to favoured another side ...that is not a sustainable solution ...The truth is that traffic congestion is caused by multiple Causes..here some causes:
1)too many cars for the road ways due to inadequate mass transit traffic options or other reasons
2)congestion jams are common when communities grow faster than government can upgrade the road infrastructure.
3)limited access highways
amongst other things.
Solutions:alternative means of transports
-Implement .for instance, Employees Parking Cash-out
-Decentralize businesses ---that is ,,businesses are concentrated mainly in Victoria ..thus majority of Seychellois work in Victoria ...this mean more than 70 percent Seychellois travel daily to Victoria for professional.
build TOLL lanes .maybe
etc..etc.etc.etc.
10:40 is on the right track.
What about decentralized government offices?
Government can move offices to more humble locations,monsters of occupying high end commercial space in Victoria.
Example, Independence House, DBS, all high end real estate that should be dedicated to business locations rentals.
PUC is another one. STC already has a location in Victoria. It does not need another.
A strategic plan for additional roads is important as well.
Here, LA Poudriiere can be expanded, and made two way, instead of being kept as a one party state one way exit for State House. It's a bit silly these days.
The round abouts need rethinking. Option street lights in stead squared off. Much more efficient and gives each side 2 mins. To proceed. Hence clearing traffic. I cannot believe that the Land Transport people have not figured this one out. They have created their own traffic jams since all round abouts are connected.
In the world of the ideal, every driver would be courteous and traffic will flow fairly well. But in reality, drivers are rude and in considerate.the car makes some feel like they own the World for a moment.
CGill
You all having good ideas......don't forget.....our good friend UAE already have a Master Plan for our town.
PL talked about it a year ago.....not sure what PL waiting for.
One thing I can still remember that this so call HIGHWAY took decades before the first car rolled on.
We were still under the colonialist and imperialist as SPUP used to say.
Well maybe we are waiting for LEPEP to disappear before WE see our new and innovative town to appear!
10'40
Toll Lane will bring more death period!
Taxi Driver.
Camera on posts.
Use camera to ticket speeders.
Mail the receipt tot he registered owner.
Buy the soft ware to control traffic.
Apply it.
When a registered car or vehicle gets three tickets, just send them a Notice of Not to Use.
If they have not paid any fines, treble it.
If they speed 5 times- take license away. Simple.
Then they can use a Taxi.
C Gill
I would love to have Mr Gill to be the President of the Taxi Driver Association!!
We would nominate you as the next one.
Taxi operator.
10:40
A toll lane from the new airport to the old jetty would be just fine,as long the 500 taxi driver can bring home the bacon and eggs.
Will name it FIDELISTA ROAD TO MONCADA.
Santiago.
Thankmyounformthe proposal.
However, I am not interested in HIGH Public office.
Trying to teeth through this World Bank Report. It is thick.
I remain- chairman of Sesel Pou Seselwa in the face of racism and greed. I am ok with that. I know our history well.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
CGill
Pl must be made to PAY RENT..(which would porabably amount to a few million annually) for using Maison Du Peuple as its party base ( a public owed building).......we cannot allow pl a politcal party to confiscate apublic asset and make it their ,,and pay nothing to the state for its usage ......PL MUST RENT FOR MAISON DU PEUPLE....Now......another means to collect money inste4ad of always trying to suck out businesses for more taxes etc...
Good issue LDS should raise it when reviewing the budget.
Le pep rents to government numerous office space to generate revenue.
They should stop this before LDS approves the Budget.
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