National Assembly |18 March 2020

Messrs Ramkalawan (left) and Pillay speaking to the media after the walk-out (Photo: Joena Meme)

LDS walk out after no-show by authorities on COVID-19 action plan

The National Assembly’s scheduled sitting yesterday, in which a Private Notice Question (PNQ) pertaining to the government’s strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath was on the order paper, was cut short after members of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) walked out, a mere 34 minutes into the sitting.

The PNQ, tabled by leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan according to his account as early as March 10, is seeking the relevant authorities, namely, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture to provide the assembly and public with updates on the latest measures in place to stop the propagation of the virus, the actual situation in the country, their analysis, strategies and projections, so the public can better prepare for the pandemic, which has over the weekend reached our shores.

It was revealed by Speaker Nicholas Prea that none of the authorities would be addressing the assembly during yesterday’s session, despite no formal communication stating so, except for a letter received by his office, signed by secretary of state for Health Marie Pierre Lloyd excusing the Ministry of Health and public health officials on account that they are pre-occupied with the emergency at hand.

In his intervention, Mr Ramkalawan noted the numerous questions and concerns on the lips (and digital device screens) of the population which need to be addressed by government, to reassure the public that the situation is under control.

“I am really disappointed that the government decided not to see the question and to come forth before the assembly to shed light on the matter. As much as we want to listen to our people, they are looking at it through a different lens. The President is to announce supporting measures on Friday but how will he do this if he doesn’t listen to the elected representatives of the people?” he questioned, prior to the walk-out.

Among the concerns Mr Ramkalawan feels should have addressed are the implications of the virus on the economy which is almost entirely reliant on tourism, safeguards for small tourism operators and employees who may potentially end up redundant if the economy slides into a recession, the Ministry of Education’s plan to deliver learning to pupils at primary and especially secondary level since all schools are closed, possible measures for post-secondary schools, the Ministry of Health’s capacity in the case of an outbreak, role of the welfare system if people are made redundant as well as extra security measures, if any, to be implemented by the Seychelles Police Force.

Mr Ramkalawan noted further concerns pertaining to measures for senior citizens at elderly care homes and food security among others.

Speaking to the media after the walk-out, Mr Ramkalawan noted that the coalition has in the meantime “decided not to take non-essential business before the assembly, until the PNQ is disposed of” and that members are willing to return to the assembly and work through recess (as from April 16), to discuss the matters, including a supplementary budget and amendments to existing laws, “as it is of paramount importance to our country and our people”.

Mr Ramkalawan further called on the government to communicate more effectively to the nation urging them to enter into dialogue with the coalition and assembly, towards a collaborative approach to combatting the virus in Seychelles and to together find ways to reinvent the country by adopting an economic model which is not reliant on a handful of sectors.

Secretary for communications for United Seychelles (US) and member of the National Assembly Sebastien Pillay said US regret the walk-out but remain hopeful that they “can move past the situation and return to functionality”. While he acknowledged the reaction of the members of LDS as normal, the focus is on moving forward and working to combat the virus, he said.

He stressed the importance of the matter at hand to members of US, while also weighing up the overloaded workload for the authorities in responding to the fast-spreading pandemic. Making reference to the Ebola outbreak, Mr Pillay noted the authorities’ successful efforts to protect the country by implementing several measures.

“I am confident that the government has a plan. How comprehensive and effective it is depends on us. What I think should happen is for the government and authorities to be more proactive, maybe in providing more briefings and information updates on a more frequent basis. This will help, in the majority of instances, to alleviate some of the concerns people have and will permit them to access more information,” Mr Pillay said.

Mr Pillay further proposed that measures be amplified to render the plan more comprehensive and effective.

“It is important that we allow the authorities to do their work. Of course as an assembly, we want oversight on the work but COVID-19 will not determine how Seychelles will evolve. We will overcome COVID-19 and life will go on. Seychellois are a resilient nation,” Mr Pillay added.

Laura Pillay