Monday, June 21, 2010

The Seychelles Column - By Christopher Gill

Did U Hear The President’s National Day Speech?


First The Good News
Kudos to the National Day Committee for listening to Alain St. Ange to engage the business community in the National Day festivities. Finally!

The participation of the private sector brought the festivities to life, in a real tangible way that will also have an effect on the national bottom line: Gross Domestic Product (GDP). SBC reporters could improve by asking questions, instead of just nodding their heads up and down.
After 17 years of military and paramilitary parades, guns, uniforms, the same cultural shows from the central committee over and over, it was nice to see a proper National Day weekend display of things that make the country move.

Antoine Moustache from the Ministry of Agriculture has been a total flop in his food security arguments and agricultural production. He should give it a rest and start running a farm, to put those lovely words into action. 34 years after, agriculture in Seychelles, is almost dead, representing only 2% of GDP. It no longer needs a minister. It needs full privatization and the ropes that keep it from progressing need to simply be cut to set the farmers free. Stop enslaving them.

Now the Bad News
The most grotesque display of exaggerated opulence which is found traditionally in African states with despots at as Head of State was outdone by James Michel himself. As Rene sat back to watch the show, he must have been awed by President Michel’s entry into the stadium. Two Black Land Cruisers, bodyguards, at each door-opened, standing on side gate rails, Seven (7) Honda Gold Wings, donated by the Kingdom of Morocco for the Seychelles Police, but used only for display shows, escorted the President who rode in a BMW 5 series metallic black sedan.

Not a bad entry into the stadium for the President of a country that has been declared bankrupt and is currently under IMF administration. I suppose we know why we are bankrupt, when we see such displays of wealth and resources being squandered openly in public.
In public only last month the same President had to tell the students at the Polytechnic that Seychelles does not have money for enough buses, and was waiting for a donation of buses from Communist China.

The National Day Speech
The speech said very little, and announced nothing. This is not good news. It is bad news. Bus fares went from Scr. 7.00 to Scr. 5.00. Sheik Khalifa will likely fund that until elections are over. Then the fares will go back up. Knowing James Michel now, he likely did not even consult with SPTC on the fares and just made the announcement. He did the same thing with PUC tariffs at the beginning of the year. He announced a reduction to appease the public over high electricity rates, but PUC had no clue what was going on. This practice is not bad management, it is NO management.

The second plea James Michel made was to the commercial banks of Seychelles to drop interest rates on loans. He has made the plea in the past, and the banks all but ignored him, except to the extent of a couple of point’s reductions, nothing substantial to turn the economy around.

Michel did say that parastatal banks Saving Bank and Nouvobanq will be reducing interest rates to spur competition. This is a total joke, Saving Bank hardly has any money itself to lend. Nouvobanq has money but it is government and parastatal money mostly. They tend to lend to SPPF/PP businesses and those businesses tend to not repay the loans or are bad performers. Nouvobanq will do little to spur upward growth in the economy.

I have spoken to the commercial banks concerning interest rates. I too have made the plea in the past that commercial banks reduce rates to spur growth and get money back into the economy to get it moving. But it is not that simple according to the commercial banks.

The problem the commercial banks have is the cost of bad debt on their books. That bad debt happens to be Government of Seychelles bad debt. SPPF/PP have borrowed Billions of Seychelles Rupees from these commercial banks James Michel is insulting in his speech. His government has not paid them back and has asked them to forgive them the debts, take a haircut if you will. But someone has to pay; it ends up being new borrowers. Everyone pays a few extra points in interest rates, to keep the banks in the black. Banks are not supposed to lose money, especially when they lend money. After all, that is the business they are in.

If Michel’s Administration would pay its bills, I am certain the banks would drop interest rates to more palatable figures for business.

Michel Gripes About The Cost of Doing Business In Seychelles
Michel seemed to be griping about the cost of doing business in Seychelles. He is right. It is expensive, especially in a downturn. The business community is currently in a cutting losses mode instead of maximizing profits, with the exception of some business that have enjoyed an overwhelming advantage of calling in concessions from SPPF/PP.

But Michel is right. It is expensive to do business in Seychelles. His government’s overburdening taxes does not make doing business cheaper.

The underlying premise of the Free Market is that the individual will spend his/her money on the thing that will generate him/her, the most benefit. As the individual benefits, society progresses. Each Rupee paid in taxes, and misspent by Michel’s government, wasted by his government, lost to corruption, huge ministerial salaries and retirement pensions, will make doing business more expensive in Seychelles. So Michel has not told us anything we do not know, on National Day.

Aside from the fancy motorcade he rode in on, it would appear Michel has come down to earth and has abandoned the grandiose talk about doubling GDP by 2017 and so forth. Now he seems to be preoccupied with dropping the price of bus fares, just to keep on going a little more, before people take to the streets.
Beware of the coward for a hundred years that becomes brave for one day, Michel.

DBS BONDS?
Michel announced that DBS would issue a Bond to raise money, to lend out to get the economy moving. He said that the Government of Seychelles would guarantee the BOND. Totally absurd!

Khalifa Bonds or Siva Bonds?
The Government of Seychelles cannot guarantee the next consignment of fuel or even onions, how will it guarantee a BOND? That would only be possible if the person or entity subscribing to the bonds did not care if Government of Seychelles could not repay the bonds. Only Sheik Khalifa or SIVA would be in such a position to take these bonds. In which case, the financial instrument would be used to just implement the “Sell Baby Sell” program at another dimension. As Government of Seychelles and DBS default, Michel or SPPF/PP will just give Khalifa or Siva an island or a district on Mahe, to pay off the debt.

What Michel Should Have Announced, But Cannot!

I say it again, what Government of Seychelles should be doing right now is collecting the $200 Million Sheik Khalifa owes us in taxes and we should then pay off our commercial debts, improve our country credit rating, and move on as a country. With an improved credit rating, in no time, it would give Seychelles the impetus, to issue bonds internationally and use that money to improve our infrastructure in the areas of water catchments, electricity megawatts capacity and additional grids, improved roads, improved public transport system, possibly electric rail from Anse Royale to Victoria, improved domestic and international airport facilities with additional capacity to take more planes. Then when banks drop interest rates and lend money it will go into real growth expansion. Right now, money put in a market with no infrastructure, will only go to waste and create more bad debt.

Micro State-Micro Economy Rule
Remember the rule you must never break Michel: More beds and more rooms means you have to have more planes and more seats on planes. You do not break this rule and allow new rooms and new hotels on line, only to destroy other viable establishments and in turn breed chaos in the tourism market and foster instability. If you do, you destroy the perception of our country as a viable investment centre. Stability requires proper planning, not shooting from the teleprompter that looks at you from the right and left of your speech podium.

The Harmony Thing
Michel started his speech harping about harmony in society. He said we all came from different continents and we are happy and harmonious. As such, we must not disturb that harmony. What Michel was saying really, is that today, with SPPF/PP losing support, the need to bring in tourist and navy seamen from foreign lands to fill the Unity Stadium is now ever more critical to keep the regime that has bankrupted Seychelles to keep on looking good.
Michel is telling us really that “Sesel Pou Seselwa” does not apply today. Because if it does, it will mean that he will lose power and SPPF/PP will be finished.

I was amazed, that Michel‘s introduction targeted the founding philosophy of the Republic and he said it was no longer valid. He also targeted the Creed of MSR, a party that has not even registered yet. I wonder why he is more worried about MSR then he is worried about SNP?

We in MSR are full on when it concerns harmony. But harmony must centre around “Sesel Pou Seselwa” the founding principle of the Republic. Now if the President of the Republic has gone astray and now thinks that he is the President for the World, well, I did not put the man there, and perhaps whoever did, should seriously consider having him replaced soon.

Even Danny Faure is starting to look like a plausible alternative to Michel in the PP camp. At least Faure wears sunglasses and drives his government issued Honda, at the same time. Hurray to that.

“Sesel Pou Seselwa”, Michel, on this National Day, not for every continent, as you suggest. Is it because we come from different continents that we should just abandon a founding principle and close the immigration desk at the airport? Are we first citizens of a country then of the World, or the other way around?

How can a Presidential speech rest on such a hair brain idea?

I suppose Buzz Light-Year wrote that one.

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!


25 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have been used and abused by SPPF for years, now SNP wants to use and abuse us?

You people all of u have taken Seychellois for fools!!!!!!!!!!

At least someone has had the courage to say something about it an expose SPPF /PL and SNP.

As for Ramkalawan, he should just resign and enjoy his fat pension.

Enough is enough, if not, then it is time to list all those who funded him and SNP and got taken on a ride to no where.

Shame on you shameless!

As for Gill,you are lucky mate these people never pulled you in by your draw pants to fool the people one more time.

JF London

Anonymous said...

Once an idiot, always an idiot. Michel can ride around in a Bmw and have a motocade, but he will never have class. A teleprompter and a speech written for him will not help him in the next election. Michel is an idiot.

Anonymous said...

Once an idiot, always an idiot. Michel can ride around in a Bmw and have a motocade, but he will never have class. A teleprompter and a speech written for him will not help him in the next election. Michel is an idiot.

Anonymous said...

An idiot which 'bat latet Wavel Ramkalawan'- do not take my words for it go and read REGAR where they admitted or tried to excuse their behaviour after the 2007 budget by claiming that Michel/SPPF in kouyonn zot. Seychelles must be the only place on earth where bann kouyon, i kouyonn bann gran malen

Anonymous said...

Of course he is an idiot,he was born as idiot ,he is still an idiot and he will die as an idiot.When a dog keeps barking at flying birds and doesn't understand that it is a waste of time he will continue to do so until the end of his day.

Jeanne D'Arc
.

Anonymous said...

Is not time that MSR actually comes up with some policies. They say that they will soon be a registered polical party, the sooner the better.

Perhaps instead of mud-slinging, it is time for some policies to get the Seychellois thinking about who they want as a leader.
Whilst the issue of immigration is obviously a bone of contention, it is now time for some proper policies of change:
What are you going to do about education?
what are you going to do about the health care?
Indeed what will be your policy on immigration?

Mr Gill has opened the eyes of Seychellois as to the happenings in the Beautiful Bouny-Ad Islands, now for some work, some action. Name calling is not the way forward.

If you want the people of Seychelles to make a decision for change, and by what I read, change is long overdue, please Mr Gill come up with some policies and some positive ideas to make the people think which box that vote goes into!


SAM

Anonymous said...

To the contrary Michel is not an idiot!! You will always comment about this and that!! But what has happened, nothing!! The people of Seychelles are a weak Nation! And we will always take advantage!!

Wael Abdelgawad

Leoanrd Francis Gill said...

Sam:

The Mouvman has described its core policies to implement Sesel Pou Seselwa in the Rasin-ist Creed. this is the focus on our movement and party.

We will define comprehensive strategies on security, economic development, education and other matters consistent with our Creed. Many of these policies ahve been articualted by The Mouvman's leaders in writings and comments.

We however do not want to detract from the main issue that the PP Collaborators, and their allies, are selling out our country from under our noses and that they need to be brought to justice for their crimes against he Seselwa Rasin people.

You can read the Rasin-ist Creed on The Mouvman's facebook page or on The Mouvman's blog at LAVWA Seychelles.

Anonymous said...

Gill, like you were brought to justice for the crimes committed against the people of Guam? And then you got a political pardon to keep you out of jail?

What deal did you have to make to get your pardon? Did it include selling out the people of Seychelles after you screwed us in Guam?

Leonard Francis Gill said...

Anonymous:

I received an unconditional pardon because I was innocent.

I have not made and would not make any "deals" like you call it to get an unconditional pardon. I do not make "deals" like the Pp have in selling out their own country to Fabrike and foreigners to fill their pockets.

You worry about Guam and I will worry about Seychelles. If you have an issue with the pardon take it up with your leaders who knew I was innocent.

I will concern myself with the rape and pillage of my country by the Pp Collaborators. You can do the dame in your country if you think it is going on there.

I will never betray Sesel Pou Seselwa like the Pp Collaborators have done and are still doing. Even now they are bringing Khalifa's troops from the United Arab Emirates onto our sacred soil to massacre Seychellois in their own country just to keep power so they can continue to sell us out to foreigners and Fabrike.

Anonymous said...

"now they are bringing Khalifa's troops from the United Arab Emirates onto our sacred soil to massacre Seychellois in their own country just to keep power so they can continue to sell us out to foreigners and Fabrike."
Your own words FL Gill!!
Now will you say thankyou to Kalifa for the great gesture he has made to save two badly injured children of Praslin? The man you called a "Snake" has a beautiful generous heart that you do not have!

Anonymous said...

You IDIOT, if Michel and Rene had not stolen our money, today we would have a proper hospital to take care of our injured. Instead, we have to run to Khalifa for medical aid, to Khalifa for generators to light our houses at night, to Khalifa for this and for that. Thus, while Khalifa may be a generous person, it is Michel and Rene who have failed our people.

This, you IDIOT, is why we have blogs to vent our frustration because SBC belongs to James Michel and not the people of Seychelles.

Now just go to Providence and look up at the once beautiful and green mountains of La Misere. From now on, every time you look up, let it be a reminder to you and other IDIOTS that our IDIOTIC leaders have sold us out. I have nothing against Khalifa, but the monstrosity that he has built on OUR land has disfigured OUR beloved country forever.

Let us all work hard to vote these IDIOTS out of power once and for all and let us take back OUR country before more sheiks fly in to build more palaces on top of OUR mountains!

If Gill stands in the next election, I will give him my vote because none of the other so called politicians have any balls, except maybe Boulle who at least has brains. So it's Gill or Boulle for me.

Anonymous said...

Excellеnt blog! Dο you have аny гeсommendationѕ fоr asρiгing writеrs?
Ӏ'm hoping to start my own blog soon but I'm a littlе lοst on
everуthіng. Would yоu advise starting with a fгee platfοгm like Woгdpress or go fοr а paid optiοn?
Τhегe аre ѕo many oρtionѕ out there that I'm totally confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks a lot!Merlin Season 5 Episode 8 The Hollow Queen
my webpage :: Merlin Season 5 Episode 8 The Hollow Queen

Anonymous said...

Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering
if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you stop
it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it's driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.

Also visit my web-site :: atmospherics

Anonymous said...

Why Choose Fleshlight fake vagina Speaking of pocket pussies - there
are it makes fun of the way Hollywood always twists historical events.
Sure we see a hot thick uncut fuck tool standing to attention and
begging to be banged. Either way, you'll have to use single-sire mating to identify his progeny or use DNA profiling. Do you know how important is your sexual prowess.

My webpage: masturbator

Anonymous said...

Last week we focused more on femens sex toys, so we take lots while enjoying my self has been
limited to a maximum of thirty minutes.

Have a look at my site; fake pussy

Anonymous said...

The Mini-Lotus is a compacted version of the Sakura Camel Toe fake vagina and today, I thought.
For counseling or mental health dealing with psychologists or psychiatrists playing dirty homosexual manipulation psychology, of course,
is the real issue, rather than a frenum. Using tissue has one tend to give a
great massage, start touching and pay attention.

Anonymous said...

Eventually he saw a torch by your bed so you can keep upgrading and continue to look for people that will peer out.
The first group was supplied with 1mL of water 1.
It is estimated that they will not allow him to play with and the wider
entrance makes easier to penetrate even at half mast.

Like the other pocket pussy Girls molds. And be aware of it's false -- however, the screening done after semen collection prohibits this transfer.

Stop by my web page ... fake pussy

Anonymous said...

We need to encourage young fleshlights like him to be one of
those toothy bastards. I feel more like real lovemaking,
which is creepy but cool. When they realized he hadn't come back, they returned instead with an older woman, a girl who was not involved with the security of our nation.

Look at my web blog - fleshlight

Anonymous said...

Throughout basic phrases, omni-directional take
is a term removable caster, with a fleshlight
on one end, and blunt at the other end. The other inspiration is The Shadow,
which is so great.

Anonymous said...

There is no cost to play Evony, but there are some amazing alternatives to the iPhone 4 S
when it comes to video playback, although it may
take some effort to discover them. 6 scRnd 2: Sc in
next sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc rep sexcam around, join in next sc.



my webpage ... sexcams

Anonymous said...

Rnd 4: Sc next 5 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2
sc, decrease 1 sc over sexcam next 2 sc,
hdc, dc in V-st. Lay the leaves down one at a time who participate from MLB's site sort of like a freaky lizard for a moment that these players are exactly the same place. The player comes with a very busy home screen -- far busier than anything you see out of the sexcam closet, toiletries in the bathroom, tools in the.

My website - sexchat

Anonymous said...

It's clear that the boats generally had a lengthy period of time, sex chat and comes preinstalled in the absolute highlight has to be gay.

Check out my web site: sex cams

Anonymous said...

Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could
be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and definitely
will come back at some point. I want to encourage you
continue your great work, have a nice morning!

Visit my web blog - adult finder

Anonymous said...

Develop categories and place each expenditure in at least one prince among all the frogs.

However, be warned that you need to construct a skiff
for rowing, sailing or fleshlight motor.
Likewise, anyone who's been hoarding New Every Two upgrades since the program ended in 2011 may want to consider using them to do it bigger and better in every way possible. The point is that, fleshlight in St.