SLA conducts more inspections for new licenses |09 February 2024

From left to right: Ms Toussaint, CEO Antat and Ms Françoise (Photo: Joena Meme)

The Seychelles Licensing Authority has over the past year conducted 2,153 inspections for new license applications in 2023, compared to 1,832 in 2022.

The authority, however, reported a decrease in license applications from 5,242 in 2022 to 2023, as most licenses are now granted for a five-year timeframe. As most licenses are already active, the authority is not required to conduct on-site inspections.

According to Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) chief executive Ronny Antat, SLA has adopted a new approach towards inspections. The authority no longer conducts inspections under the purview of other authorities such as health and tourism, unless complaints arise. It issues licenses based on the recommendations of the partner bodies, and instead conducts post-licensing inspections to ensure that license conditions are being adhered to.

Inspections are also conducted based on the authority’s risk-based analysis, most notably for higher risk activities, meaning more licensed breaches have been observed.

Despite efforts to discourage licensees from breaches of license conditions, SLA has intensified enforcement efforts. In 2022, a total of 25 warnings were issued to businesses, increasing to 32 in 2023.

Asides from warnings, SLA may impose fines of up to R50,000, and also has the power to  suspend, cancel and revoke licenses.

Sale of alcohol during non-permitted hours remains a major issue across several locations. Following its call to retailers to honour alcohol retail hours, SLA has suspended retailers’ licenses, while other investigations are pending.

“They need to be able to operate their businesses in a manner that does not infringe on other people’s rights, the rights of citizens,” Mr Antat stated.

As per senior licensing officer Josianne Toussaint, SLA also recorded an increase of almost 200 percent in complaints from the general public, from 40 in 2022, to 148 in 2023. This is due to efforts to make the authority more accessible to the public, through the introduction of more communication channels.

“The vast majority of these complaints relate to noise, and illegal garages. We are faced with a lot of issues whereby people have come forward to report certain activities which cause noise in communities, as well as persons who are operating illegal garages, especially in residential areas,” Ms Toussaint stated.

Mr Antat seized the opportunity to encourage complainants to disclose their identity when lodging complaints, as the authority needs admissible evidence, for instance a written statement, in pursuing legal action.

He, however, acknowledged that the authority’s powers are limited in handling noise complaints. These are channeled to the concerned authorities.

An enquiries department was established within the SLA last year. It is tasked with recording complaints and feedback, and providing guidance as to license-related procedures. The department can be reached through the SLA website, and email addresses.

Feedback is imperative to continuously improving the service, Mr Antat said, highlighting the important role the institution plays in the business environment.

In a bid to make the service more convenient, customers may now book an appointment for vehicle registrations and transfers 48 hours in advance. This provides the added benefit of swifter transactions.

It is also now possible for business license applications and renewals, as well as road tax to be completed online.

According to public relations officer Shannon Françoise, the digital driving license is proving to be beneficial to both licensees, and the police.

SLA will be celebrating its 40th year in existence this year.

Laura Pillay