President Michel visits Anse Etoile-Leaders in districts ‘have to address people’s concerns’ |21 October 2010

He got the chance to meet residents at the La Retraite home for the elderly and then toured the area to visit families and businesses. He also saw examples of vandalism, which is causing major concern.

There was also a brief meeting with members of the district’s board of trustees and the Social Welfare Agency’s (SWA) chief executive Jacqueline Pierre.

The President paid calls on families in the La Gogue and Maldive area and met owners of three small businesses. The Golden Moon Restaurant was one of these, and he also visited a mechanic and timber trader.

He then had a brief talk to some fishermen at the Anse Etoile market and heard about certain concerns relating to the misuse of resources there.

Mr Michel was accompanied by Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton and the President’s Office principal secretary Lise Bastienne.

The Seychelles Fishing Authority’s chief executive Ayna Henriette, Anse Etoile district administrator Aselma Pilate and other high government officials were also present.

After his tour of the district, Mr Michel said he has received many letters and phone calls from residents in which they raised various problems and asked him to visit.

In his conversations with families, entrepreneurs and residents at the old people’s home he was able to listen to their concerns and frustrations, he added.

He urged district officials and all elected members of the National Assembly to be more attentive to their people’s problems.

“I hope that in the future, the leaders will take their responsibility to address the people’s concerns,” added Mr Michel.

He also spoke about the need for everyone to have respect for the elderly; this follows some acts of vandalism at the old people’s home.

Such cases are unacceptable as “we have to treasure our senior citizens, who have played a great role in the development of our country”.

“Certain conditions at the old people’s home are regrettable, but I am also happy to see that work – such as fencing – has started to improve the situation,” said the President.

Since early this year homes for the elderly have been under the management of the SWA, which is working closely with members of the boards of trustees in all districts to make sure residents are safe and living more comfortably.

Mr Michel said drug abuse is a major concern, and the police force has to crack down on these activities and ensure the security of the community.

“The district’s police station has to give its utmost support to the community,” he added.

Mr Meriton said the board of trustees and the SWA have brought certain concerns regarding the La Retraite home for the elderly to the government’s attention.

Work is already being carried out there, such as fencing and other renovations, and there are projects planned to make the area more attractive.

Mr Meriton said a society is judged on how it treats its old people and “we have to improve the residents’ situation and carry out programmes so they can live more comfortably”.

He said there are eight such homes in the country and all have their own specific issues to be tackled.

The minister also spoke about the Anse Etoile market, which he said is exemplary. Recently, however, there have been issues over misuse of resources, and a meeting with the relevant agencies has been scheduled to deal with these cases.