CCCL explosion   |22 January 2024

US supporters join party in calling for independent inquiry and help for affected families

The United Seychelles (US) party on Saturday protested against the government's handling of the December 7 explosion, calling on decision makers to speedily provide answers as to the circumstances behind the incident. 

Party leaders and officials were joined by supporters at the Cascade district administration, in making the request for an independent inquiry, and for the government to speedily support affected families with financial aid.

A significant number of families in areas surrounding the blast, namely, Petit Paris and Cascade, were left displaced as their homes suffered the impacts of the unprecedented blast.

Party President, Patrick Herminie, strongly questioned who granted CCCL permission to stock explosives on its property, and why it has not been held accountable.

In particular, he questioned whether all four containers of explosives belonged to CCCL, or whether one containing expired explosives belonged to another governmental organisation.

“Who gave the order to store the containers at CCCL, as opposed to Barbarons?” Dr Herminie asked.

Dr Herminie said that there is much confusion surrounding the incident and CCCL’s culpability and ownership, alleging that the government is protecting CCCL.

Furthermore, he proposed that the government is responsible for the explosion, alleging that CCCL’s foreign employees have been placed on house arrest while others are gradually being deported, as means of preventing them from revealing any information relating to the blast.

“Rather than claim responsibility and mobilise resources to reconstruct the place, the government is coming forth with bits and pieces of solutions, which means that as we speak, there are a number of people in shelters, and many people’s houses are yet to be repaired,” he stated.

Dr Herminie called on the government to repair all affected properties, stating that affected citizens are innocent parties who had no role in the calamity.

A number of affected inhabitants of Cascade are yet to receive the R25,000 assistance pledged by the government for repairs, he alleged, also noting that many are yet to be visited for the damages to be assessed.

“Cascade inhabitants are not responsible for the explosion, so stop insulting the Cascade residents,” he added.

President Wavel Ramkalawan announced during a recent press conference that there are some 791 applications for financial assistance.

Addressing the subject of children who are still living in the dedicated shelters established to aid families whose homes have suffered the most damage, Dr Herminie said US is seeking clarifications as to the arrangements that have been made for those who will be commencing the school year as of this week.

Cascade resident, Louisette Tamboo, explained to Seychelles NATION that the sliding door at her mother’s house was damaged with the explosion, and the foundations are cracking. She noted that the cost of repairing the damage greatly surpasses the R25,000 financial assistance.

“They are not evaluating who requires repairs and who requires reconstruction well. They need to review who they are assessing who needs what,” she said.

Her presence on Saturday is a show of solidarity towards all those affected, she said, considering that Cascade is a tight-knit community.

“The situation is being badly managed, and the government is not doing what it should be doing for us,” Ms Tamboo said.

She added that a lot of citizens are suffering, adding that the R25,000 is not sufficient to replace all that has been lost as a result of the incident.

Celine Emile, a resident of Petit Paris, was also among the citizens protesting for their voices to be heard. Mrs Emile’s ceiling collapsed with the blast, while her daughter experienced much more damage to her home.

“I received the R25,000 but what I do not like is that my daughter did not qualify for the assistance,” she said. Her daughter’s home is an extension to the existing family house.

According to Mrs Emile, her daughter was also denied assistance to buy a washing machine despite being promised one.

“We have had to opt for credit with the sliding window manufacturers, so I can prevent thieves from ransacking my house. I am still in debt until now. I had to replace a sliding window at her house, and my sliding door.”

“We did not ask for this. I am 63 and my husband is 68. Where will we qualify for a loan?” Mrs Emile said.

She noted that her home only suffered some structural damage while all of her possessions are safe, and asked that government repair and restore her home as close to its former glory as possible.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the gathering on Saturday by US party officials and supporters in protest against the government's handling of the December 7 explosion at CCCL.

Laura Pillay

Photos by Kurtrine Albert