Let’s talk business: Interview with outgoing CEO of the IEA, Roy Collie |04 August 2023

Mr Collie accompanied by a ministerial delegation comprising Minister Vidot and finance minister Naadir Hassan discussing a road improvement project onsite at Providence last year

‘I think there is a bright future for our small businesses and industries’

Two and a half years on from his appointment as chief executive of the Industrial Estates Authority (IEA), Roy Collie will soon be leaving the entity to take up an unmissable opportunity within a local company.

Mr Collie was appointed in February 2021 during the first phase of government restructuring under the administration of President Wavel Ramkalawan.

Over the course of his time with the IEA, numerous positive changes have taken place, as he and his 18-strong team channeled efforts towards resolving the discrepancies and inefficiencies, which once surrounded the authority.

Seychelles NATION had a chat with Mr Collie about the successes and highlights, as well as his future endeavours.

Seychelles NATION: How was the transition from the private sector to the public sector?

RC: I was working with United Concrete Products Seychelles (UCPS) Ltd for over 28 years but the transition was very smooth. The support that I received, especially from our Minister Devika Vidot, was incredible. In fact, from the whole team including principal secretary Michael Nalletamby and from the government has been phenomenal. I never felt alone at any point.

Much was expected from the position I was taking up. At the same time, my biggest source of support has been the IEA staff, from the deputy CEO, Barry Assary, as well as all the other staff. We started working hard from the get-go in a bid to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

I had a three-year mandate, and I feel proud that even if I will not be completing my mandate and I will be leaving two and a half years in, I am almost guaranteed that I have accomplished the majority of what was asked of me.

It is because of good performance and meeting the set targets that others have approached me and unfortunately, or fortunately, I have received a once in a lifetime opportunity. But, I did not jump at the soonest, but consulted my friends, the minister and others before I made the decision. It is with much sadness that I am leaving the IEA, and all the staff who have felt comfortable and open to working with me, and with whom we have achieved a lot and many successes over the past two and a half years.

Seychelles NATION: You took up the position when the authority was surrounded by some controversy. How did you manage the turnaround and what have been the major accomplishments?

RC: When I joined the authority the main problem was landowners failing to pay off their debt. In fact, in 2020, clients’ debt amounted to over R30 million. Coming from a finance background, this was the first thing I tackled. I started off by hiring a full-time accountant, and I am proud to say that the Accounts Department is fully-functional today, and our records are 100 percent correct. We have managed to collect within the two and a half years over R50 million in revenue.

Of the R30 million debt, around R11 million remains to be collected. A number of cases are to be settled in court, where the authority is expecting to recover R5 million. It is public money and we cannot let it slide.

In 2020, IEA was collecting R11 million on average per year. By 2021, this almost doubled and IEA collected R21.5 million while in 2022 we collected R29.4, which is already R50 million in two years. This year, up until August 3, we have collected R14.9 million. This is one of our biggest achievements.

When I started we did not know who owed the agency and by how much, so we had to start from scratch and build up the 800 clients’ files individually. It was a lot of work and I wish to congratulate my two Accounts staff for seeing the exercise through. From there things have flowed.

We also worked on new policies, and new allocation procedures together with the minister towards a more transparent and equitable system.

We have allocated around 25 plots on Eve Island on Praslin, and around 20 on Mahé and I can guarantee that the procedure has been democratic, and through a tender process. An independent committee conducted the evaluation, awarded applicants points as per the amended point system in allocating the plots to applicants. A second allocation for the remaining 25 or so plots on Eve Island will be done in the same democratic manner soon.

We also sorted out the land Master list and waiting list which was very disorderly.

Prior to my arrival the authority was doing everything manually and I insisted on the acquisition of a Property Management software, and we were allocated the budget to do it. It took some time to implement it as there were some necessary customisations but the software will be in use soon.

Seychelles NATION: What personal qualities do you possess which have been instrumental in discharging your responsibilities as CEO?

RC: From a financial standpoint, we had to be firm, impose deadlines and consequences for debtors. This has helped us to get to where we are today, and for those who failed to abide, they are now facing legal action.

At the same time, the approach which I adopted with my staff is very open and one which encourages communication and discussions. As much as possible I listen, and I take time to make a decision and will do so after much consultation with staff, the government, and especially Minister Vidot.

Of course, not all decisions will be satisfactory to all parties especially considering that our clients are business people with their own interests.

Seychelles NATION: What have been the highlights since you joined the IEA?

RC: Capital projects. Certain places lacked road infrastructure, including drainages.

During the difficult post Covid-19 times, it was difficult to convince government to allocate funding for such projects but with the support of the minister, we managed to convince the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade to allocate the funding. The finance ministry took into account the fact that we are collecting revenue and we managed to secure financing for road infrastructure in Zone 20, and works are now almost complete in Zone 19. Works are also under way in Zone 6 and on Eve Island.

There are numerous other projects that have been approved including one to resolve the parking problem at Providence.

IEA has also been allocated a budget for the construction of a micro-enterprise center in Zone 20. This will benefit government in terms of revenue collection for IEA, while also contributing towards the development of small businesses. We would like to have a centre in each district and are well on the way to start initiating Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP), whereby government will collaborate with investors to create such spaces for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Seychelles NATION: Do you wish you could have done anything differently during your time with IEA?

RC: I wish there was a way to make more plots of land available to satisfy the demand. I feel bad that some applicants have been waiting for years and have still not received a plot. It is saddening for me to have people asking when plots will be available.

But I am happy that government has heard our pleas and has approved proposed projects, including one in Zone 18 to make available more industrial land.

Even after my departure I will ensure that I give a helping hand and there is a proper handover to ensure that there is continuity in what we have started and established thus far.

Seychelles NATION: What are your views on the industry in Seychelles?

RC: I think there is a bright future for our small businesses and industries. Our parent ministry has placed much emphasis on innovation and are supported by the ministry to do so.

We import so much that could be provided by the local market. I would like to see a reduction in the importation of basic products and that we value our locals. I hope that small enterprises can grasp the opportunities and develop further.

Seychelles NATION: Do you have any special message for the ministry and staff?

RC: I am especially thankful to Minister Vidot for her support, and the whole team at the ministry. I have never felt alone or under pressure to do anything, which is why I felt so comfortable to discharge my functions and deliver on my responsibilities.

If we accomplished this much it is due to the ministry and staff. I am honestly sad to be leaving my staff. We have achieved so much and are on the right route. I hope that my predecessor will continue on the same route so that it does not go off-track.

The IEA was established in 2014, through the enactment of the Industrial Estates Authority Act, 2013 (Amended in 2017).

Interview conducted by Laura Pillay