LDS votes down DICT’s proposed budget allocation |15 November 2019

United Seychelles appeals to LDS to reconsider its position

United Seychelles has expressed its deep concern over the decision of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa to vote down the proposed budget allocation of R61,323,000 for the department of information and communication technology yesterday afternoon.

It was through a press communiqué dated November 14, 2019 that United Seychelles (US) made known its concern and appealed to the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) “to reconsider its position”.

The press communiqué reads: “United Seychelles expresses its deep concern over the decision of the LDS to vote down the proposed budget for the Department of Information and Communication Technology this afternoon.

“It is unfortunate that the opposition is creating unnecessary anxiety and uncertainty within a key sector of the national economy as well as among the 70 or so dedicated staff of the DICT who work with great diligence.

“United Seychelles believes that the linking of the price of telecommunication services with the function and role of the DICT by the LDS is a flawed and misinformed argument.

“United Seychelles would like to remind the LDS that we no longer live in an era where government can fix the price of commodities and services or control the economy. We have today a free market economy based on supply and demand with little or no government control. This is something which the opposition advocated for and is a reality today.

“United Seychelles believes that important technical issues related to the budget should be treated with maturity and seriousness. Members of the National Assembly should not be afraid to ask for clarification on subjects when they have limited knowledge.

“It is unfortunate that the LDS is using its power to vote down the budget of a critical government department when it could have postponed the debate and allow the experts at the DICT to clarify their misunderstandings and concerns.

“United Seychelles notes that this is the first time that the budget of a government department has been voted down and believes that this is a very dangerous precedence that will have negative consequences not just on a key government service but on the staff employed at the DICT as well as their families.

“United Seychelles appeals to the LDS to reconsider its position.”

US Communiqué