Seychelles Taxi Operators Association (STOA) AGM and election: |30 September 2022
(From left to right): STOA member Sam Rignace, vice-chairperson Antoine Sinon, secretary Michael Adela and member Garry Souris
No chairperson elected, new elections within two weeks
The election for a new chairperson for the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association will take place within the next two weeks in a second round of voting after the three candidates at yesterday’s annual general meeting did not receive the 50 percent votes required according to their constitution, to be elected.
The three candidates ‒ Michel Jean-Louis, Ron Marie and Michael Adela ‒ received 34, 26 and 13 votes respectively, out of 74 votes cast, with the highest score representing 45 percent. The association has over 180 registered members.
This means there is presently no one to replace outgoing chairperson 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.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Mr Kilindo said he stepped down as he was not fully satisfied with certain behaviour and actions, which he said hindered the association’s progress.
However, the outgoing chairperson said his team managed to make some progress during its three-year mandate, albeit slow, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic as it took them nearly a year and a half to get the organisation back on its feet.
Despite the challenges, he said the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association (STOA) recorded some achievements.
These included a bigger parking space for taxi drivers based at the Seychelles International Airport in Pointe Larue as well as name tags so the taxi operators could identify themselves.
Mr Kilindo said the committee managed to create a level playing field for all taxi operators especially those operating at big tourism establishments, and discussions were under way to improve services for those operating at the Mahé quay, among others.
“We had already worked on a petition calling on the government to take actions against omnibus operators, and this had already been signed and was about to be submitted,” said Mr Kilindo.
Mr Kilindo described his mandate as a difficult one, with several conflicts among members and the recent incident involving taxi operators at the international airport.
He said it was unfortunate he could not bring back the discipline he had vouched to bring among the operators “and to stop them from overcharging their clients, which was detrimental to our business”.
He added that he did not stand for re-election as chairperson as he felt he had not received enough support during the past three years.
“The way I see it for now, we are in a tough spot and it will take a lot for taxi operators to walk with our heads held high and be proud. If the association is to stand now it will come into total conflict with the government on issues such as omnibus and fares that are being reviewed. I do not want to be part of this,” added Mr Kilindo.
Yesterday’s election was coordinated by a steering committee with the help of the Seychelles police and Seychelles Licensing Authority.
Voting took place after the AGM earlier in the day where the committee presented its annual report including its auditor’s report.
Other than the chairperson, election was taking place to choose the other seven members. The new vice-chairperson is Antoine Sinon, whereas the former treasurer, Michael Adela, was elected as the new secretary. The post for treasurer remains vacant as no one stood for the position.
The ordinary members are Garry Sinon, Sam Rignace, Richard Lagrenade and Terence Esparon.
It should be noted that six of them are members of the outgoing committee.
Talking after the elections, the newly elected vice-chairperson Sinon thanked all the members who came forward to vote and support the committee.
He said his committee will now hold another election for a new chairperson and treasurer in the coming two weeks.
Until then, he will oversee the work of the new committee.
Patsy Canaya