In the National Assembly Sona responses marred by disagreements, US walk-out |26 January 2021

A partial view of members during the sitting yesterday before the walk-out (Photo: Joena Meme)

The National Assembly yesterday held its first sitting for the year, in which members provided their responses to President Wavel Ramkalawanʼs state-of-the-nation address, delivered before the assembly on Friday January 22, in accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution of Seychelles.

In line with procedural rules, leader of the opposition (Loto) Sebastien Pillay and leader of government business (LGB) Bernard Georges were first to respond (see separate story on page 1), before other members were afforded the opportunity to do so.

While the sitting commenced smoothly with numerous members laying out their state-of-the-nation (Sona) responses, the afternoon saw disagreements as to the conduct of certain members during Fridayʼs address, resulting in the walk-out of United Seychelles (US) members, after Honourable Johan Loze was excused from the rest of the sitting by Speaker Roger Mancienne.

Despite the incident, the work of the assembly was not disrupted, as it still had a quorum to hear from other members, well into the session, after many others had already laid out their perspectives with regards to the measures announced by President Ramkalawan.

As expected, members of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) afforded their support for the strongly-worded address by their leader, echoing strongly his message for a mindset and attitude change towards more responsibility and productivity, starting off with Hon. Clive Roucou who conveyed his satisfaction at measures announced to rebuild the economy, by cutting back on welfare and other expenses, and to tackle the drug problem and inconsistencies and shortcomings within public service.

On the other hand, Hon. Chantal Ghislain of United Seychelles (US), prior to the walk-out, said that the President’s first Sona, while focused on national unity, was filled with contradictions that could potentially divide citizens. Speaking of proposed measures, Hon. Ghislain proposed that reforming the social welfare system is not the best way forward, especially at a time when many are feeling the economic implications of the pandemic and economic downturn.

“Government must accept that during these difficult times, there are many more people who will need help, who need compassion and who donʼt just need to borrow an onion, or a pinch of salt, or some oil from the neighbours, but actual help to continue surviving and put food on the table for the children, at least twice per day everyday, until the countryʼs economic situation changes,” Hon. Ghislain asserted.

Considering that President Ramkalawan did not speak of the education system, Hon. Ghislain expressed her view that more should have been said about a concrete plan for the education sector, relating to a virtual platform to facilitate digital learning now that schools have remained closed for some time.

Furthermore, Hon. Ghislain added that the President should have also pronounced himself on the practice of personal attacks among citizens, in line with his message for national unity.

Hon. Philip Arissol, LDS MNA for Anse Boileau, spoke mainly about the economic measures, highlighting the need for innovative and novel ideas to take hold of opportunities to diversify the economy, calling for citizens to adhere to public health orders and measures in place, to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) and eventually restore some sense of normalcy, towards rebuilding the economy, by placing more in employment, and once again revitalising the business sector and other profitable sectors.

Similarly, Hon. John Hoareau, LDS member for Beau Vallon, also conveyed support for the measures announced by President Ramkalawan, going further to accuse United Seychelles (US) of maliciously pushing for lockdown and criticising the government’s handling of the pandemic, as a means to shut down all economic activities and further exacerbate the economic crisis and turn the nation against the President and his administration.

Hon. Hoareau proposed performance-based management systems within the public service to meet the objective for a more efficient and effective service, recommending also that the part-rental assistance to applicants who are renting while awaiting social housing solutions not be eliminated completely, but that the system be reformed to curb abuses and still provide assistance to those in need.

He also expressed his support in backing any decision taken by the executive with regard to national carrier Air Seychelles, which is currently sinking in debt.

Meanwhile, Hon. Conrad Gabriel of Pointe Larue (US) warned against simply seeing Air Seychelles as an unprofitable business venture, but to rather consider all the achievements of the organisation over recent years, including the development of staff.

According to the President, Air Seychelles will this year require R109 in the 2021 budget appropriation and the company is obliged to resolve around R80 million in debt with foreign bondholders.

Like others who intervened, he too proposed that social welfare assistance not be cut abruptly as the risk of citizens going hungry is now more present than ever.

Following the disagreement between Speaker Mancienne and US member, Hon. Loze, the only members left to respond were those on the LDS side. Member for Anse Etoile George Romain also questioned the eligibility of the 7,000 plus individuals on social welfare assistance, calling for a total reform of the system, also raising queries as to the role and efficacy of the police force to reinforce public health orders, and assist leaders in combatting social ills, namely drug trafficking and criminality.

“The President has asserted that his government will not tolerate drug-related activities in the country. Our country is going through a serious crisis and it is a situation which demands that we really look at each cent that is spent to ensure that money is well managed. It is no longer time to tolerate acts of corruption in our country. I give my total support towards the measures detailed by the President to deal with corruption. I think it is more than time for those guilty of corrupt acts to be dealt with, and if they are found guilty, the law and prison applies to everyone,” Hon. Romain stated, alluding once again to the US $50 million, said to have gone missing some years ago.

In line with the Presidentʼs announcement regarding the Department of Public Administration (DPA), Hon. Michel Roucou of Mont Fleuri, strongly asserted the necessity to reform the organisation in the interest of Seychellois workers, citing examples and insinuating that the DPA has over recent years been mismanaged and facilitated the victimisation of public servants, on the basis of political views.

Throughout the sitting, MNAs on both sides congratulated Minister for Health and healthcare professionals for their hard work and determination to try and contain the pandemic in Seychelles, as well as addressing projects that they would like to see within their constituencies within the coming months.

The assembly resumes sitting as of 9am this morning, although it remained unclear at the end of yesterdayʼs session whether US member Hon. Audrey Vidot will be permitted to provide her response today, after missing her turn when she participated in the walk-out.

The sitting is to be chaired by deputy Speaker Gervais Henrie in the morning, while Speaker Mancienne follows suit behind other political leaders to get the Covid-19 jab.

Laura Pillay