Government of Seychelles, specifically the Ministry of Environment tasked with administering the national parks system around Mahe,Praslin, have back tracked on a horrendous proposal made by another expert recruited from newspaper adverts, and unfortunately, hired.
The Proposal
The proposal entailed charging all hotel establishments touching a national park a rate of € 21.00 per bed single occupancy, based on 60% annual average occupancy ( annual occupancy is really 48% large hotels, 38% small hotels, both mean all hotels are generally in financial dire straits.
The Impact
A hotel like Ephelia Hotel in Port Launay will pay nearly € 2million in additional expenditure to the Seychelles National Parks Authority. In case the Seychelles National Parks Authority did not add this up, it works out to SCR. 30 Million in payments from Ephelia Resort, per year. The people from environment are trying to increase the lease payments for the land once owned by Bill Pomeroy. Not good! bad, bad, bad idea!
La Reserve
La Reserve Hotel on Praslin will be expected to fork out another SCR 250,000.00 per month for being in the national park. Nuts! Makes one wonder what these environment guys smoke or snort?
Land Fees Proposed To Go Up SCR. 100.00
To land on Curiesse island, these environment technos want to hike landing fees by SCR. 100.00. This will make a day on Curiesse Island cost SCR. 300.00 from the current SCR. 200.00. Currently, we do not see a line of Tourist rushing to pay SCR. 200.00 to land on Curiesse Island.
Cousin Fiasco Landing Fee SCR. 500.00
Cousin Island run by Bird Life, charges SCR. 500.00. Bird Life pays no VAT on this fee. It pays no taxes. Excursion operators are already boycotting landing guests on Cousin Island because the fees make a sale difficult, and give the visitor the impression they're being robbed. The tour last one hour and a half, you have to pay your own way round trip to and from Praslin.
Sister Island
Sister Island charges landing fees illegally. The practice has been ongoing for years. The government receives no revenue, the public is out raged, and I will say, pissed off.
Sister island is one island which the government of Seychelles should be brave, acquire it, turn it into a national park, continue to charge the fees. An audit ought to be conducted, apply all the illegal undeclared revenue over the past 35 years to the settlement price. I assure you, it will be the last time a queer from Paris kicks a Seselwa off an island.
After much discussion, government agreed to withdraw these proposed fees in the national cross sector, which Seychelles Chamber of Commerce attended, kept the flag flying, thanks to his right good and decent, Mr. Pierre Quatre attending, while his Chairman ( Defacto ) Wilson a Nancy was absent, in mind and body, as usual....from Seychelles, but he was here.
Figure it out folks!
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seycllois
The Ministry of Finance has announced outrageous excise taxes to be applicable on environmentally friendly Eco vehicles or HYBRIDS which reduce consumption of fossil fuels, burn cleaner, emit less co2, cost less then fossil fuel vehicles. The public is outraged over the issue.
One Party State Mental State on Taxes
Excise Tax on HYBRIDS was 5% flat to encourage protection of the environment and to show Seychelles commitment to the environment. As of June 16 th, 2017, a one party state style tax ladder on HYBRIDS will take effect: 1. 1600cc - 12.5% tax , 2. 2000 cc - 37.5 % tax, 3. 2000-2500 cc 75% tax, 4. Above 2500 cc - 100% tax.
Add The VAT 15%
In addition to these taxes, VAT of 15% will be added to the vehicles. The policy will penalize Seychellois trying to buy a car, to improve their quality of life, and protect the environment. The super rich docked at Eden Island will remain un scathed as usual. Government officials who drive in new vehicles every three years will be unaffected.
Dealers Hurt
Dealers of vehicles will be hurt badly by this initiative, and it will be a negative on the business climate. Those who have invested dearly to set up dealer ships will be at a loss due simply to more bad policy, not market forces. The regime will add even more unpredictability to the Seychelles government and how they do things under the coco nut tree at Ministry of Finance. Last year, MOF scrapped Trades Tax, implemented Excise tax system to divert and nullify the Tourism Incentive Act, providing concession to the Tourism Industry, since they are the main hard currency earners in the country. Again, many business relied on TIA and trusted the government, they were let down in classic one party state style.
Keep Your Word Challenge
A government that cannot keep its word, is a government that cannot be trusted. Simple!
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!
The heat in the kitchen is rising. Seychelles society, under President Faure is under going a purge of corruption and illicitly obtained land and properties. Expectedly, land is much sought after in Seychelles, more valuable then gold, to some, sweeter then honey, to others sweeter then the honeycomb.
L'Espace Tenants Booted!
Numerous tenants at L' ESPACE the grand commercial center built by Former President Michel. The parking lot is on a plot with no lease. The consideration for the plot where the grand commercial center sits was not fair market value. In addition, the source of funding of this building complex remains under investigation by the National Assembly. Recently, numerous tenants were booted including Seychelles Tourism Board. They were told to leave the furniture. How much of the marketing fund is used to pay rent?
Dolor Bends Over In A Vice!
Dolor Ernesta, former Minister and Vice Chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce (SCCI) is under investigation by the Anti Corruption Commission for acquiring on his name, 52 plots of land allegedly, then selling 26 plots in a systematic manner. Mr. Ernesta was a infamous Minister of Lands, a former sanitation inspector on La Digue, came to own numerous plots on La Digue, Beau Vallon, San Souci. Was he clever or crooked? The Anti Corruption Commission will give us its position.
Sarah LTD Scam
Last month a company called Sarah LTD was cajoled by President Faure after tough negotiations to give back numerous plots of land to government of Seychelles situated at Beau Vallon. The case registered the first concrete action taken by the President to undo malpractice in land acquisition. However, no further criminal case was brought forward, while the company was named, the individuals behind the company have been shielded in the Seychelles official press and opposition press.
International Prestige Ltd Scam With SCR. 1 Million Deposit!
International Prestige a company unknown in Seychelles commercial life, has obtained six plots of land at Providence Industrial Estate, with a deposit of only SCR. 1 Million. The Opposition submitted these details to President Faure, he has ordered immediately, the cancellation of the leases. No party or person has been named from government for facilitating the fraud and the individual tendering the payment on behalf of the shelf company has not been named or charged with a crime.
The lesson thus far is clear, better off stealing land in Seychelles, then breaking into houses to steal flat screens.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!
James ( in Irish Jack, oh, remember the Irish) Michel has resurfaced after a prolong absence from the Public eye since resigning as President of The Republic of Seychelles, and handing over to Mr. Danny Faure. Faure has been a step ahead all the time, and has done many good moves, to Jacks discontent.
Jack surfaced at the June 3 rd Le Pep party congress to establish order in his party after Faure shunned his request that he stand as President of the Party. Jack therefore had to take the helm as President Honorary ( to shield him from political irrelevance), place numerous cabinet members of Danny Faure Administration in his Central Committee, that was giving orders, but the machinery was not following through.
Times are changing, but not everyone is keeping up with the change, they would rather be content in the historical cages of the past. Jack, time waits for no one, you cannot scare time into submission.
Jack Has Big Problems
It is evident Jack has big problems. Leader of The Opposition is investigating the SCR. 150 Million building L'Espace built for Jacks Foundation, JJ Spirit, which according to the mistress of all ceremonies, is at the forefront of fighting drug addiction in Seychelles. Really? I did not know that.
Oh Question Time!
Allow me to ask any MNA to ask the following question: " what has JJ Spirit done to fight drug addiction in Seychelles?" "How much of its budget is used on drug addiction ?" When will JJ spirit be audited? " what office space at L ' ESPACE is dedicated to fighting drug addiction and rehabilitation in Seychelles?
The list of problems goes on and on. How much was Desroches island leased for? How much was Ile Platte dumped for? Grand Police? Was it market value? I doubt it. The Arab investors we talk to tell us under Jack, they pay less then market value, and will not budge on any venture. Jack has spoil them, now no one can deal with them.
Vincent Meriton President of Party"
Vincent Meriton has been elected President of the Party. The young energetic Meriton, is fast on a Samsung, has been brought up through the ranks. He has a clean slate, without the baggage of Jack. In the hotel business, people regularly turn up with their baggage, and they want you to carry it for them. My advise to President of Le Pep, politely advise Jack he must carry his own baggage, because when he had the chance to unload June 5 th and be a hero not to killers, but all of Seychelles, Jack declined a golden political opportunity, chose to carry June 5th on his shoulders, all by himself.
This is why everyone says Jack is in a JAM, regardless of the stage show.
Jack Is Gone Danny Is President No. 1
Le Pep supporters called me for advise. So many Presidents now, Danny, Jack, Vincent. Who do they follow? What do they do?
For the moment, Jack has hit a Che Guevara tone, calling on his supporters to be aggressive, combative, and hold nothing back, be ready for turbulence, he snorts. Jack of course forgets Tourism is 21% and we can do 25% this year, to pay for all the vehicles he had signed off to him from the State House ledger.
Jack forgets Savoy Hotel must pay its bills, Kempenski must pay taxes, Four Seasons needs a profit after investment, Seychellois need to eat, live, pay their way, from their own pockets, something Jack has never done himself, and will not know what it feels like to build something from his own honest sweat as inferred from the LOTO statements on L ' ESPACE.
Well, I hope the LOTO brings forward the facts, nothing but the facts, so far we have one car park, taken, not paid for. STB has vac
In the mean time Jack, Danny is still the President, not you. The country should work with him, since he says he wants peace and genuine national reconciliation, not combat, aggression, or anything else espoused with a dose of vile mixed with bile.
I heard in the hall ways some murder saying, yes, more murder, more mayhem, bring back torture, yes...................long live the revolution! Jack is Back!
See what I mean Jack? Better see a shrink, would you not say?
With such erratic banter in the halls of ICC, President Danny Faure, best start dealing with the Che Guevera extremists left in the Army, the Cabinet, and Districts. You never know what these people can do after a few drinks at the "harbor bar".
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!
This week the National Assembly dragged PUC Praslin through hot coals over the noise level and emissions of its generators. The PL and LDS were all over PUC on these issues that affect residents in the proximate area where the loud smoke bulging generators are run. But the National Assembly missed the most important point: PUC Praslin has failed!
Line Diversion Request
Last week, a official of PUC turned up after 15 years to inspect a request for line diversion, accompanied with other request 25 years old. It is a joke. The visit came only after the matter was referred to legal counsel for prosecution. PUC has no vision. They only operate on a reactionary basis, and treat consumers as problems not as opportunities. I trust Minister Dogley is reading this:" consumers are not problems".
Failing Service
The service on Praslin is horrendous, if there exist a worse word, it is that. Electricity cuts are common tough out the night, while tourists are eating in restaurants. As the electricity cuts, a mad house ensues, Seychelles takes on the image of a banana operation, caused by PUC failures.
Food in freezers rot, compressors break, equipment from flat screens, fridges, freezers break from power surges not expected in the ordinary course of business. The Amitie dump site is full of electronic and kitchen equipment from restaurants and hotels. In the face of such hazardous loss, PUC refuses to pay for the loss, deny having caused it, yet electricity voltage flows like high tide and low tide.
New Cars, New Trucks Less Work
It was interesting to see Mr. Morin worm over the generator and proposals for a new one, as he fed Minister Dogley with information to field questions before a teething National Assembly. PUC does not have money to replace the generator causing all the noise, smoke, vibrations, but it has money to replace and add to its fleet of vehicles.
Virtually every truck and car of PUC is new. It shows you where managements priority is. Instead of maintaining their vehicles, which will teach them how to maintain their generators, they sell the vehicles to their own staff, buy new ones and hence, do not have to change tires, gaskets, or break pads.
Privatize PUC
Electricity production will never work on Praslin with management based on Mahe. It's like have the casings of a engine on one island, the pistons of the same engine on another island. The situation has gotten so bad that even when there is a break down, if after 3:15 pm, they stop taking the phone, you call Mahe, they give you a number manned by a security guard at the gate, where the breaking dying generator is located.
Government must consider seriously a privatize scheme for PUC, before any more money is wasted. Plug the leak!
Give the head aches to the private sector, organize a back up generator for the hospital, connect it, don't leave it in the rain to rust, set a acceptable rates scheme, commit 12-15 megawatts to take into consideration growth, raise La Digues rates since they have a free ride, have no power cuts, since their lines are all underground, take that money, compensate these families on Praslin affected monthly, place all lines underground, so the fruit bats do not look smarter then PUC management.
So there you go, problems highlighted, solution proposed, costing Government of Seychelles nothing, everyone paying their fair share, those hurt, compensated reasonably.
If you have other national crisis that need a plausible solution, do advise.
If you want to know the name of the company that can do this operation, hint, it is not Vijay, he may swipe the diesel judging from the last hotel contract that went down the dumps.
Sesel Pou Seselwa!
May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!
