IDC celebrates 35th anniversary, rewards long-serving staff |04 May 2015

Some 80 employees who have worked with the Islands Development Company (IDC) for between 11 and 33 years have been recognised and rewarded for their long service and loyalty.

Five employees who have clocked 30 years of service and above, received special mention and rewards while the chief executive of the IDC Glenny Savy was recognised and rewarded for clocking the longest service with the company which is 33 years.

The employees received their certificate, token of recognition and rewards during a gala evening organised for them by the IDC at the Savoy Resort & Spa last week.

During the ceremony former Vice-President Joseph Belmont, a former general manager of the IDC, also received a special token of recognition and appreciation.
At the end of the ceremony a special cake was cut to mark the occasion.

The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Danny Faure, several ministers, the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, retired and present staff of the IDC, among other distinguished guests.

Altogether 26 employees have clocked between 11 and 14 years of service , 23 of them between 15 and 19 years, 13 between 20 and 24 years, 13 others between 25 and 29 years and six between 30 and above with the longest being Mr Savy himself.

Other than Mr Savy the five longest serving employees are Jone Jean-Charles, Susan Johnny, Sedgwick Marengo, Alain Simeon and Maxwell Françoise.

The ceremony was a very lively one which was punctuated at intervals by numerous songs composed by well known local singers like Jean-Marc Volcy, David Andre and Sedgwick Marengo, all telling the stories of life on the outer islands and the different anecdotes which often reached people on the mainland.

Guests at the event were also able to travel back in time, sitting back to relive and enjoy life on the different outer islands and marvelled at the different stages of evolution, transformation and progress which have taken place over the years  and this through a video presentation.

When he addressed everyone who had gathered to share in the IDC’s joy and success, Mr Savy said from humble beginnings producing copra, extracting guano, salting fish and turtle meat in the 1980s on seven outer islands, the IDC has expanded its economic activities over the years to encompass agriculture, fisheries, tourism, construction, services and real estate development on 13 outer islands and on Silhouette.

“The company is today grossing an average annual turnover of over R270 million from its various operations,” Mr Savy said.

“The IDC now boasts ownership of one subsidiary, three associated companies and in addition to the sustainable development of the islands under its management, operates its own aviation and shipping divisions,” added Mr Savy.

Mr Savy pointed out that when the IDC started 35 years ago, none of us could have foreseen the direction it would take.

“Our willingness to embrace innovation , welcome new opportunities and adapt to change has kept the company on the forefront of development,” Mr Savy said, adding that gone are the days of operating in isolation of the main island, struggling with sea sickness over long sea journeys, workers facing uncomfortable  living conditions and food shortages because of ship delays.

“For many IDC employees working on the outer islands is now not only a job but a way of life,” Mr Savy added.

Commending the IDC for another profitable year with a profit of R16 million which is R1 million above the budgeted target set by the IDC board, Mr Savy  nonetheless admitted that the company also has to overcome different challenges but has bigger plans for the future of the islands.

Thanking the long-serving staff for their dedication and loyalty, he called on them to continue to be a source of inspiration for the younger generation of employees.

The ceremony to reward employees formed part of a week of activities the IDC organised to commemorate its 35th anniversary celebration.

Earlier last week, as part of its corporate social responsibility, it donated medical and office equipment worth R40,000 to the English River health centre.