Seychelles Crosses The Floor!

Politicians in this elections are frustrated over Seychelles crossing the floor, abandoning their parties, sending their leadership packing, with the crabby eyes and Six month pregnant pot bellies. The shake up in traditional parties is daunting today, and getting to the point where it is not controllable for traditional parties.

Why Cross The Floor!

A party member crosses the floor ( abandons his part, sends them packing) when a member comes to the conclusion that his party is NOT the party that can deliver the goods in the National interest.

A party member crosses the floor and does the brave thing and the right thing, for his people, when he sacks his party. It places the world on Notice, that there are deep rooted problems in a party, these problems have not been resolved, cannot be resolved because the leadership is not flexible, un democratic, lost in his own World.

PL People Crossing The Floor

In the political broadcast last night, PL Vice President, approved a broadcast, highlighting that crossing the floor is an irresponsible act. I beg to differ. Crossing the Floor, is an issue that takes great courage, great timing, the decision remains, always, the sovereign right of each individual voter and citizen. It means the citizen is above the politician, he is above a failing non responsive party apparatus, he is above victimization in his own party. As great philosophers from Aristotle to Gandhi will impress, the individual is the foundational stone of every true democracy. Mess with the individual, you will get " Cross The Floor".

This is what we are seeing in PL today. The list is long, but the brave coming forward are the likes of : Patrick Pillay, Simon Decommarmond, William Herminie, Noella Alexander, Jean Frnacois Ferrari. PL sights fault in every occasion in these people. There are fault in all of us, it is our human condition. The better approach, would be not to seek fault, but rather, seek common ground,seek dialogue from a point of mutual respect, to move the country forward.

Senir Plume Party

I have refrained from commenting on the Senir Plume party to allow it time to register its case to the Nation. To date, I am highly disappointed. My advise to all " Freedom Loving Seychellois" who love Seychelles, quest for Democracy, quest for " Sesel Pou Seselwa", is to ignore Senir Plume. Ignore them because they have yet to place a responsible and serious realistic agenda forward for Seychelles. These newly declared politicians have not " Crossed The Floor"- they are " Crawling Under The Table".......Not To Be Trusted!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!- Trust Me!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Praslin Needs Special Focus By Ministry of Tourism

Praslin Island in the Seychelles, was cited with emphasis as being perhaps " The Most Beautiful Island in The World" in a number of publications this year by visiting journalists. Praslin annually is cited as having " The Most Beautiful Beaches in The a World" 1. Anse Lazio, 2. Anse Georgette, and numerous close seconds such as Anse La Blague, Anse La Farine, Côte D'Or. Grand Anse Beach has spectacular size and span, if it was in. Asia , it would house hotels for 3 million visitors per year. Instead, Grand Anse like most of Praslin, is available, free of charge.....to yourself, all by your self, except for a few crabs, a fee sun worshipers, and the occasional fish nibbling your toes at the shore side.

Praslin Needs Help

In marketing Seychelles, Praslin has been used for many years. Louis Doffay is credited with putting Praslin on the map as a preferred safe, friendly, gentle destination for well heeled Parisian and other French in the 1980's, 1990's and 2000. Daniela Alys added her energy to the market in 2000. In the down turn many small hotels and charters have slipped through the basket of publicity and exposure. In the process,  Praslin has lost presence, in the French Market as larger hotels on Mahe, with bulk budget for marketing dominated the Seychelles Product presence.

Today, Ministry of Tourism needs to put its money and commitment along side it's words. Praslin needs help to relaunch the destination. The island is a one economy island. It has no banking sector, no offshore sector, no fisheries sector, no port sector. Tourism is the only cash earner for the island. Ministry of Tourism and STB need to be sensitive of this and take a more proactive step to include Praslin tourism into the marketing promotions programs beyond knocking only on  SHTA door, since many businesses have lost faith in the leadership of that organization, for it has slept too long on too many issues. Perhaps that will change in the future, we do not know.

August Blues

August is a peak period for Seychelles. This year as usual visitors packed into La Digue. Many side tracked Praslin or were run through as day trippers. The issues as to why the most beautiful island in the world is being side tracked need to be addressed. It must be addressed by the private sector and the government. Issues must be resolved, not just given royal lip service.
Too much talk and too little action will turn us all blue!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Seychelles and Fitch at Odds!

Recently Fitch Ratings Agency, international financial rating house, Hong Kong, issued an updated rating on the Republic of Seychelles. Officially, Fitch downgraded the Seychelles from a " BB " rating to a " BB- ( stable) rating. " BB" DOES NOT mean " very above average" as the Minister of Finance of Seychelles would like us to believe. Pierre Laporte tried to pull this old trick on us after Seychelles achieved a " BB- " in 2007 just after we had defaulted on the the Lehman Brothers bond installment payments.

BB- BUT Stable

Fitch rightly acknowledges Seychelles has made significant progress since 2007. It is this reason that Fitch does not twitch and gives the Government of a Seychelles the marginal benefit of the doubt that it will return to the financial reform tracks after elections. Fitch notes, the largess in the political election season and the financially costly program to increase pensions to over SCR. 5000.00 per month and reduce income tax of those under SCR. 10,000.00 per month, the notorious poverty line. While all these pork barrel policy adjustments were advocated by the opposition, and taken up by the ruling party, Fitch warns the Seychelles and it's partners, that these two moves will cost Seychelles 3% of GDP, hence wiping out any progress by way of GDP.

Seychelles Debt Balloons to $ 900 Million

Fitch sheds light on what Principal Secretary Patrick Payet has remained silent on: our debt.
According to FITCH ( sue them not me) our total public debt, excluding IMF and guarantees exceed $ 900 Million. This is more then when our tiny nation declared bankruptcy in 2007 $(865 Million). Some thing is not going right!

The raison d'être of this financial malaise rests with Fitch comments itself. Fitch says, the total debt includes Treasury Bills and Bonds- hence the rapid build up of Reserves now holding at 4 months, but it is borrowed money, not national profits. A mouth full. Indeed, a message that should call every Seychellois off the football fields of political rallies into a room, with around table to pull this country out of the mess she is sinking into today.

Deficit Floats Annually 17%- 23%

Fitch sites that our budget deficit, traditionally covered by FDI has been moderated by reduction in oil prices. Government fixes a Ad Valorem Tax to fuel of SCR. 8.00 per litre. If a litre cost SCR. 25.00 - tax is SCR. 8.00 per litre. If a litre is SCR. 15.00- tax is SCR. 8.00 fixed. Hence, government has benefit like a fox on the reduction of fuel cost worldwide.

Gross External Debt 110% of GDP

Gross external debt remains high at 110% of GDP. This percentage is high according to Fitch for a " BB" rated country, hence the (-) indication. This serves as a warning. To government to put its fiscal house in order. What does that mean? It means reduce the tax cuts, reduce the pensions after elections, forget about 13 month salary, because.......while it is on the wish list.....Fitch has warned you.......it is not FEASIBLE ............if you know what that means.

High Income Country VS. High Poverty

The World Bank classified Seychelles as a " High Income Country" last July. However, in December, 2015, the Geni Index list 39% of our population remains below the poverty level.
Poverty reduction is not accomplished on the football field yelling and screaming or on Facebook calling each other names, with fake profiles. Poverty reduction is a societal challenge. It involves numerous programs, targeting issues that cause poverty; it involves a change of mind set; it involves dealing with the drug issue; it involves dealing with laziness among our people, dealing with their failures in the face of unprecedented opportunity. It means we all need to be more honest about our internal problems, between us for us.

This is no time to play political football with our national failures, when Fitch is the referee, it does not know Parti Le Pep, SPM, SNP, LDS or Martin Aglae. Fitch knows only: " Seychelles".

My message to all politicians- " Wise Up Folks....Wise Up!"

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Thailand Faces Bomb Spree!

Thailand a popular tourist destination for travelers has faced a series of bombings across the country. In total thirteen provinces faced bombings across the Nation. Popular tourist areas like Phuket were bomb. The bombs were placed in flower pots and went off within 24 hours.

Thailand Loses Safety Label

Numerous embassies were sending out travel advisory warnings for citizens NOT to travel to dangerous Thailand at this time, until further Notice.

Safety A Key Factor In Choosing A Destination

Safety is one of three key factors in European travelers choosing a holiday destination. Given Thais are bombing each other, it is very likely that Thailand will now face a downturn in Tourism during the third quarter and Fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016.

Seychelles Is Safe

Seychelles remains the safest destination one can travel to in the World today. We must all work hard, cooperate to insure it remains this way.  Better yet, as one traveler put it: " in Thailand you go for sex, here, I find Seychelles to be very sexy".

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

St. Ange Brings Turkish Airlines To Seychelles!

Representatives of Turkish Airlines are in Seychelles holding meetings with relevant authorities ahead of the start of they new service to the islands at the end of September this year.  Fatih Mehmet Kursun, their General Manager for Mauritius, Madagascar and now Seychelles accompanied by Dr. Taner Erim, the Manager International Relations and Agreements for Middle East and Africa and Yakup Gozubuyuk, their Expert for International Relations and Agreements for Middle East and Africa paid a courtesy call on Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture at the Ministry's ESPACE Offices in Victoria.

Discussions that centered on the arrival date of the airline's first flight to Seychelles at the end of September was also the opportunity for Turkish Airline to review their target source markets for Seychelles as well as conditions presented to them for their operation in Seychelles. Present also at the meeting was Sherin Naiken, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board who confirmed to the Turkish Airline delegation that their marketing and sales people were already actively working with the Tourism Board in countries already identified as target markets for Seychelles.

Turkish Airlines are launching their Seychelles service with three flights and are hoping to increase the number of flights to the islands in the near future. "We are happy to see the arrival of Turkish Airline to our shores. We are a mid-ocean tourism destination that remains dependent of adequate air access to make our tourism industry work" Minister St.Ange said as he was presented with a replica model of the plane that will be on the Seychelles route from the end of September this year.

Seychelles President Suffers Stroke

Informal Reports have surfaced from Seychelles Hospital and State House that the First President of Seychelles James Mancham has suffered a stroke while in the swimming pool at his home at Glacis, Sur Mer Seychelles. Mr. Mancham was hospitalized and released to his home, after a few days under observation. These reports have been affirmed by house staff, informally.

It is informally reported as well, that he is now under going regular physical therapy to regain control of muscles in the legs. A physical therapist visits him at his home under schedule.

To date , no official statement has been issued by State House on the health of the First President of Seychelles, who ruled for a mere 11 months as President.

Recently, Mr. Mancham has endorsed James Michel in the last Presidential Elections. In spite of this there has remained bitter grudges with France Albert Rene over the years, while relations with Mr. Michel have been cozy, friendly, very supportive.

Mr. Mancham's relations with the opposition in Seychelles, which he led in 1992, has reached an all time low, his attempt to retain influence in the opposition has produced tenuous results.

End.

Joe Albert Says: " Seychellois Can Build"!

Seychelles business magnet Joseph Albert who likes to be referred to as humble " Ton Joe" was on SBC this week, on site, at the Ile Soleil development site in Anse Aux Pins paving roads, setting bridges, and spreading the tarmac with his well able staff, and he took a moment to make certain key declarations on SBC.

"We Seychellois Can build this Country"

Ton Joe in his bravado not dissimilar to a French accent John Wayne or a Italian born Rocky Balboa declared to SBC empathic ally -" we Seychellois can build this country, on Ile Soleil, we are showing just that" [ look at the proper roads! decent sidewalks! spanning bridge to the main island]. Indeed, Ton Joe has struck a cord in the hearts and minds of Seychellois. Yes we can! We can do it! This can do attitude Joe Albert professes is the same attitude combined with compassion for ones fellow man, a sense of decency that built big America. It can build tiny Seychelles in the right way.

"We Will Reinvest The Money Made In Seychelles"

Just when one thought Joseph Albert had said enough for SBC, he went on and said more:" our money earned here on this project will STAY in Seychelles". Joe need not say more, he had struck a cord twinning in the hearts of thousands of distraught ordinary Seychellois, who are tired of seeing the most beautiful islands in the World being pillaged by branded companies, and revenue fleeing in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year from our economy.

Even large hotels who are suppose to propel the standard of living of the Nation, are instead being accused of Price Transferring, and 30 companies in Seychelles pay 95% of all the government revenue today. Ton Joe has a highly valid point.

The Tenacity To Raise Seychellois Up!

Joe Albert has a tenacity for profit and competition. He has a tenacity to raise Seychellois up, up lift them. He does this through business. While at times he is hard to bear, he has now focused his energy on the construction Industry where his natural talents rests. We should all encourage Joe in his efforts and challenges.......he will invest in Seychelles, not build schools and houses in Southern and Central India.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom loving Seychellois!

Mitcy Queen of Health Figures Out The Mess!

Mitcy Larue the Minister of Health has gone before the National Assembly on the heels of its last days of operation before elections to give a long winded open answer to an open question pre-disclosed on the State of our health care in Seychelles.

List The Doctors

Mitcy Larue took a lot of time to announce the presence of specialist in the health care system. If you want to see a dermatologist, he is station at Anse Royale. You will have to make your way to Anse Royale and see the specialist. This aside, there is a peculiar schedule she says that the specialists visit other clinics and you can make an appointment to see a specialist, if your rash does not destroy your skin in that time.

United Nations Staff

Mitcy Larue of course would now be qualified for United Nations Ambassador.judging from Mr. James Michel's past appointments, I will not be surprise to see and hear soon, Mitcy Larue has been appointed Seychelles Ambassador to United Nations. Her list of doctors come from Serbia where doctors are paid €100.00 per month, Cuba, salary is $60.00 a month, Pakistan $25.00 per month, and India $75.00 per month.

The salaries do not indicate the professionalism and dedication of these staff. I have seen them losing their minds adopting to the health care system they have been jettison into upon arrival at the International Airport. Safe to say, our health care system under Mrs. Larue has been a disaster.

880 Million Budget

The Ministry of Health receives over 880 Million rupees per year, from the national budget. The service gives you the impression it is more like 8800.00 per year. Has Mitcy Larue improved Health care for us? No. It has gotten worse. This is the consensus. This is why she was in the National Assembly: to cover up as usual.

Claude Monnaie

Similarly, we will all recall in prayer, when Claude Monnaie was found at the road side of Anse Consolation road. Praslin, he was charred in a four ton truck, his hands were tied to the steering wheel of the truck; he was sent to Mahe hospital, died there, could not speak, in ICU he got worse and worse, as he died, a cover up ensued over a brutal in humane murder.

Did Mitcy Larue know anything about this case? Of course not!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May GOD Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Breaking News- Martin Aglae in Contempt of Court

Martin Aglae the Defacto leader of Defacto party Linyon Sanzam has advise the Nation, he will use the name Linyon Sanzman in spite  of a Court Order by Justice Renaud  Quashing the name of the party in a court proceeding. News news news.

The statements made by a Msye. Martin places him in contempt of court and Renaud can order that he be arrested, and detained any day now.

4:30 PM Challenge Exposes PL!

If the rally in the grass behind the STC cold store Praslin was not enough disgrace for PL,the rally at Roche Caiman, Mahe the next day proved to be an even greater disaster.

Roche Caiman Folly

At 4:30 pm Sunday, PL had rallied at Roche Caiman with about 200 people in the crowd. It looked like a low energy rally, where old folks, confused folks, distress folks gather to cry about the challenges of facing an irate electorate that is getting more and more vicious for PL as the days lead up to the National Assembly Elections.

Roche Caiman Turns on PL

Many people at Roche Caiman have turned against PL.  The houses were built by China Construction Company. The loan was given by Peoples Republic of a China. For years PL held these houses ransom with the people making them pay for the houses after PL was granted debt relief, and the houses were literally given to the government of Seychelles by Peoples Republic of  China. The people were being treated as slaves. No chains this time, but rather houses.

La Retraite Shakes

The LDS met at La Retraite at the same time. They rallied 18,000 people to hear Pat Pillay speak and other leaders. Anse Etoile is a key battle ground and PL is pushing all energy, and sparing no cash on Anse Etoile to insure Ahmed Afif is bounced and loses this seat. They are so emotional geared up over Afif turning on them they do not even think clearly. Even if Afif loses Anse Etoile PL, he can become a proportionately elected member of the National Assembly. Give it a rest, instead of wasting all that money in Anse Etoile, send it to Praslin to clean up the seaweed that has landed on the most beautiful island in the World. Get real. Save Praslin, before you end up in stinky Bay.

Bad Weekend For PL

It has been a bad weekend for PL . But all I can say is this: " PL I told you so, I told you for years on years- RESPECT Seychellois! Instead, you take us for fools, then you wonder why we are so irate.

One last thing..........Roche Caiman is opposite Eden island, where all the super yachts moor in the name of progress. Hic. hic.... I told you about that little detail aswell.

Sesel Pou  Seselwa!


May GOD Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!