Seychelles Taxi Operators Association (STOA) extra-ordinary general meeting |13 October 2022

New STOA chairperson Ron Marie

Ron Marie elected to head taxi association, calls for togetherness

Newly elected chairperson of the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association Ron Marie has called on all taxi operators to come together as a team to address issues affecting their trade.

Mr Marie made the statement after being elected on Tuesday, during the second round of elections, after the first round at the annual general meeting on September 29, ended without either one of the three contenders getting a 50 percent majority to qualify.

Mr Marie was elected after collecting 56 percent of the votes ‒ 36 votes out of the 64 taxi operators who voted chose him as the person to replace Frank Kilindo who resigned on September 14, 2022 after three years in office, ahead of the end of the committee’s mandate on October 4, 2022.

The elections at the Seychelles Olympics House, Roche Caïman saw the participation of fewer taxi operators, with 64 members coming forward to vote, 10 less than two weeks ago during the first round. The association has over 180 registered members.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Mr Marie said he was not satisfied with the level of participation, adding that this is one of the main challenges he will be focusing on.

“I am calling on all taxi operators to become a member so that we can take our association to new heights. As you are aware it is an important body that is regulated and it has the power to defend us and safeguard our rights as taxi operators,” said Mr Marie.

He said among the association’s immediate work will be to meet up with other stakeholders for consultation, namely the police and the Seychelles Licensing Authority, so they can all be on the same page.

Mr Marie said it was about time the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association (STOA) is taken seriously.

“There’s a lot of negligence and some laws or regulations are not being implemented by these agencies. Failure to do so will now have consequences as we will be more serious and resort to legal action.Our association is going to be very active and defend its members,” he added.

The newly-elected chairperson has also talked about the internal issues, especially bickering among members that has affected the association’s work, calling on members to promote togetherness and be better disciplined.

“I appeal to all taxi operators, from now on, any incident that happens, should be referred to the police and should not be resolved by yourselves. Let us be more disciplined and relook at the way we work and attend to clients,” said Mr Marie.

At Tuesday’s election, the post of treasurer that had remained vacant after the last vote, was also taken up by Michel Chetty after he received 54 out of 64 votes, representing 84 percent.

This means the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association is now fully complete with its eight members: Ron Marie as chairperson, Antoine Sinon vice-chairperson, Michel Chetty treasurer, Michael Adela secretary while the ordinary members are Garry Sinon, Sam Rignace, Richard Lagrenade and Terence Esparon.

The new executive committee led by Mr Marie has been elected for a three-year mandate and it will be presented to its members in 10 days.

Patsy Canaya