Cabinet requests greater scrutiny from Immigration department on the entry of Nigerians |14 July 2023
Vice-President Ahmed Afif speaking during the cabinet press briefing (Photo: Joena Meme)
Following various incidents involving Nigerian citizens which included the arrest of 13 of them within the last two weeks with drugs and an incident where 62 Nigerian citizens were involved in fraudulent activities at various tourism establishments, the cabinet of ministers has requested that the Immigration department exercise greater scrutiny on the entry of Nigerians into Seychelles.
This was discussed at this week’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Wavel Ramkalawan, where a number of policy memoranda were also approved.
The government is in the process of initiating discussions with the Nigerian authorities for the deportation of Nigerian nationals involved in drug trafficking activities with the view of handing them over to the Nigerian law enforcement authorities.
In a cabinet press briefing held yesterday morning at State House, Vice-President Ahmed Afif explained that Seychelles does not have a problem with any country, including Nigeria or the people of Nigeria. However, VP Afif stated “what we have observed is throughout the last year and for the last few months, we are seeing a tendency that we felt was dangerous for our border control and our economy”.
VP Afif explained that there is a clear link between these fraudulent crimes and Nigerians.
The 13 Nigerian citizens who were arrested recently were stopped when entering the country with drugs concealed on their persons. The local authorities were able to detect the drugs and stop them thanks to the modern border control systems that exist and took the necessary actions.
The 62 Nigerians who proclaimed that they came to Seychelles on vacation and used false credit cards, cost the touristic establishments a lot of money. The credit cards were read but there was no money actually being credited and the criminals had already spent their vacation at the establishments. It was only after the criminals had checked out, that the establishment received a notification warning that there was no money entering and the card was stolen.
“The Nigerians had spent money extravagantly,” exclaimed VP Afif. “So this touched us as the government because now these touristic establishments who are giving a high tier service have basically given it away for nothing.”
There are other situations with financial implications that also involved Nigerians, including the bank fraud where one thousand pounds was lost.
“What is clear is that the tendency is for them to come inside the country itself to perform these scams.”
He continued by stating that the government and the nation is now alert. “We are not against any Nigerians entering the country, for example, all those who have a diplomatic passport, those who have a valid work permit and all those who have a residential permit.”
The rest will be heavily scrutinised by the government and the Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS), formerly Travizory, which will do an in-depth analysis. It will look at suspicious things such as if someone is coming to Seychelles on vacation for only one day.
“We will need to ask questions. We have had this happening in the past whereby when you look through it with the different authorities how they paid to come into the country, a single source is paying for them, different people for a different day. It is an organised syndicate,” VP Afif said.
The vice-president said that the government feels like there is a ring that is trying to be established in Seychelles, which unfortunately comes from Nigeria.
He concluded by adding that the Ministry of Tourism will be having a discussion with the Nigerian ambassador for Seychelles to talk about the matter.
“We will engage with them to tell them that we do not have a problem with their country and we do not have a problem with different people, we form part of the African Union but we do not tolerate any sort of criminal behaviour in the country,” stated Mr Afif.
To round it off, he explained that the reason why it would be preferable for the Nigerians to return to their country is so that they can face justice over there and not have to waste Seychellois tax payers’ money to sustain them in prison.
Cabinet also agreed that the Immigration Border Control System will be referred to as Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) and not Travizory. All airline operators will be advised that all airlines will allow any person holding a valid Seychelles passport to board from any port of embarkation to the Seychelles. In addition, the SEBS entry filing requirement will be optional for Seychellois. For all Seychellois arriving without a SEBS entry, they will be required to make the required declaration to Immigration electronically on arrival in Seychelles.
The VP explained that the word Travizory came about during the Covid-19 period shortened from ‘travel authorisation’.
“It was called authorisation because during the time when it was introduced, people needed an authorisation to enter the country based on if you tested negative or positive and if you spent 48 hours in quarantine and things like that and if you took your PCR test.”
These authoritative measures have been removed due to the country returning to normal. Due to this no longer being relevant, Seychellois people do not need an authorisation from the health department to enter the country. However, the usual things such as a valid passport is still required.
“We believe that it makes sense for the name to no longer be ‘authorisation’. It is an Electronic Border Control System,” explained Mr Afif.
Anyone who has a Seychellois passport who is checking in to come back to Seychelles will no longer need to get authorisation through SEBS and should be allowed back in the country without any issues.
“Let them embark on the plane because their passport is valid, they are Seychellois, they do not need authority to come into the country.”
However, after disembarking, there will be electronic kiosks which the Seychellois can use to submit their declaration that they have returned.
“We encourage all Seychellois people to fill out the electronic form before they embark but if they do not do it, this is not a reason to prevent the person from embarking.”
Cabinet also approved for Seychelles to accede and domesticate three conventions related to maritime management. The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, provides for appropriate measures and legal basis for the safe removal of shipwrecks, by states or other parties within a State’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The idea is that Seychelles will have the legal framework to deal with shipwrecks. This will help the government monitor vessels that go through waters and if ever there is an accident, there will be an obligation on the ship owners to compensate the Republic for any damage that is caused and to remove any wrecks found in the waters.
The convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1967 (FAL Convention) caters for a harmonised and uniform set of standards, formalities, documents and procedures to be used for international shipping operations.
“This makes Seychelles part of the convention that facilitates and harmonises standards, formalities and documents and procedures that are used between countries from one country to another. It gives us the possibility to use what is called the Maritime Single Window,” explained the vice-president.
It is an IT system where ship operators, port operators and different services can go on to the system and very quickly do all the clearing required in terms of movements.
The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 prescribes the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to eliminate the use of harmful Anti-Fouling paint on ships containing organotin tributyltin (TBT) which causes substantial harm to the marine environment.
This ensures that the majority of the anti-fouling put on the ships comply with the standards put in place to prevent any damage caused to the marine environment. The VP stated that the majority of paint being shipped in Seychelles for boats are in compliance.
“Anti-fouling paint can be very damaging, not only to the marine environment but also to us.”
Cabinet approved for Seychelles to sign and deposit the Instrument of Membership to the African Association of Maritime Administration (AAMA) which is the coordinating body for Maritime Administrations in Africa. Following the signature, Seychelles will become a full member of the association and will benefit through continuous training, workshops and technical assistance being offered by the International Maritime Organisation through the Association.
Seychelles had been a member for years, however the country has never actually given its instruments of membership. So this is a formality to finally do so.
The cabinet has also approved for the ratification of the Air Service Agreement that has already been initialed by Seychelles and four countries which includes Brazil, Turkey, Maldives and Rwanda. Ratifying these agreements will provide significant benefits to Seychelles, including potential new destinations for the national airline and codeshare opportunities with other airlines.
“The government has given the green light that in respects to the four countries, we proceed from signing to ratification.” What it gives to Seychelles is a series of agreements that control how many flights each country can put to the other country, what rights they have for freedom, how they can move from one country to another and take passengers from that country to another point. It also affects trade and usually these are bilateral agreements.
Furthermore, cabinet approved amendments to the Control of Supplies and Services (Maximum Retail Price on Articles purchased from Seychelles Trading Company Limited) Order, 2022 to increase the maximum fine for non-compliance to R25,000.
“The government believes that for the 14 essential products, prices have to be reasonable and within certain thresholds.” However, any goods supplied outside of STC does not have to comply with MRP and is fair game. VP Afif stated that 1/3 retailers have flouted retail prices and one way of preventing that is to raise the fine level. It will not always be R25,000 but it is the maximum fine imposable.
Cabinet also approved amendments to the Postal Sector Act, 2010 (Act 27 of 2010). The Seychelles Postal Act 2010 will be reviewed in two phases starting with Phase 1 which involves reviewing and strengthening of the governance and administrative framework of the Postal Regulator.
“We felt that in phase 1, we need it to become a fully-fledged regulator. It should be the authority that issues licenses to different operators and the different courier operators.” It will also be the authority that mediates in any disputes.
Cabinet approved renovation and possible extension of the Independence House Building.
The original building was built 42 years ago with the annex arriving in 2016, the rest of the building is not in a very good state.
“The idea is to restore it in its proper condition and also put facilities like a lift.” The government aims to raise the standards of the building and make it a true governmental building whereby it could even include a cafeteria for the staff and more recreational ideas outside. “That building houses three ministries and it has to be at a level that the public expects.”
Part of the south wing could possibly be extended and the technicians will decide the intricacies of the building. Concurrently, there are no plans to move any of the staff during this renovation.
Cabinet approved the application of the Harbour (Port and Harbour Dues) Regulations which is applied to Vessels berthing alongside the quay for the collection or landing of goods and passengers.
VP Afif explained that harbour fees and regulations had not changed since 2013. However, in 2022 following discussions with members of the trade, things were difficult. “They wanted a reduction in the fees that paid for as harbingers. The government agreed that for one year from March 2022-2023 that they would have a derogation.” That means that normal fees that will be applicable outside of regular hours would not be payable. The change that has happened now is that the full fees will be payable given that the economic activities have gone back to normal. “The rationale behind that is that the government during that difficult period has invested heavily in port facilities and particularly on Praslin and La Digue where R50 million were invested in the ERO Passenger Terminal and R25 million in the La Digue jetty works.”
He explained that it is important that the government recuperates some of that cost not just for the normal day to day operations but also to be able to have funds to put aside for maintenance of these facilities. The government is now in discussion and there will be a meeting today to discuss how the charges will be payable.
Sunny Esparon/press release from the Office of the President