President highlights progress after two years in office |21 October 2022
President Ramkalawan making his address (
• Announces salary increase for next year
By Patsy Canaya
President Wavel Ramkalawan has announced a salary increase for next year and said the temporary R500 assistance that was introduced this year will be permanent as from 2023.
He made the statement during his address in the National Assembly yesterday afternoon, to coincide with his two-year anniversary in office.
The president stated that after twenty-four months at the helm of the country’s government, Seychelles has done well economically and he was proud of the progress.
“When you hear the Minister of Finance says that our economy has recorded a 10.6 percent growth compared to other bigger economies in the world that are at 3 percent or less; when you hear that inflation globally is between 7 to 10 percent while ours stands at 3 percent, we have every reason to be proud,” said the president.
He said because of these good performances, Seychelles will pass on these benefits to its people.
“Because we have done well, the temporary assistance of R500 will be permanent as from next year and there will also be a salary increase, that will be more than the temporary assistance of R500 given this year,” said the president.
During his one hour address, the Head of State highlighted the progress made since October 2022 and said Seychelles had every reason to celebrate.
He said the government made some good, intelligent decisions that looked at Seychelles and its people, albeit difficult and tough at times, which some felt were harsh and may have affected some of them.
President Ramkalawan said these decisions were necessary for the country and he thanked the people for their resilience and said it was because of everyone’s contribution that the country was now back on its feet.
“Through these decisions we have shown that the government has its people at heart. We also took tough decisions that was hard. But when you analyze them, you see they were necessary for us to move forward and overcome the obstacles. Thank you for your resilience, for the way you led your lives, and the way took your responsibility,” he said.
Mr Ramkalawan asked the people not to get distracted by “cheap partisan politics” and be deterred by slanders, which he said were aimed at destabilizing his administration. He reminded the public of the state of the country when he came to power; namely the impact of covid-19, the mismanagement of the FA4JR scheme, high cost of a dollar and euro, Air Seychelles extensive debt, the cancellation of capital projects such as housing projects, fisheries facilities and construction of infrastructure such as roads and La Digue Hospital and Belonie school.
He said his administration has been able to turn things around.
Among the achievements highlighted were the reduction in the electricity tariff and fuel, review of welfare weights for better assistance, free breakfast for school children, 13th month salary, resumption of capital projects such as housing and schools, and fuel concession for cargo ships travelling between inner islands, review the prices of commodities. He added that the re-opening of the border following an extensive vaccination campaign for Covid-19, had allowed the country to see an influx in tourism arrival, surpassing the projected number for 2022.
“Be proud that you have a government that does not keep the country’s riches to itself or share among its friends but rather return the benefits to its people. All benefits will be passed on to the people because we work for the people,” said the president.
Another point highlighted in his address was the public service, which he said was still not delivering to the expectations of the people, thus rendering the public frustrated and sabotaging his administration.
Mr Ramkalawan warned those whom he said were lazy, incompetent and frustrating the public on purpose, that actions will be taken against them.
“As we enter the 25th month, let me inform those in the public service, this is our last warning, actions will be taken against those that are frustrating the Seychellois public.”
With regard to drugs, the Head of State said the government remains committed in its fight against drugs and thanked the law enforcement for intercepting over 200kgs of drugs, both at sea and the airport, to prevent it from entering the country.
He also appealed to the Seychellois people to promote a culture of peace and tolerance and to refrain from resorting to violence to settle their issues. He referred to the recent violent incidents in the country, namely fights at housing estates and alleged kidnapping of children, which he described as worrying.
The president reiterated his commitment towards the people and called on everyone to join him and his administration as he enters into the 25th month of his mandate. He stated that he still stands by the slogan ‘Sesel pour tou son Zanfan’ and will continue to promote it throughout his presidency.
It should be noted that the representatives of the United Seychelles party did not attend yesterday’s session.
Present in the National Assembly were the ministers and other high government officials.
Photos by Joena Meme
