Three events this week have shown the value of the work done by the SNP. All three have moved the country forward one more step. Our relevance in this task has been not only definite, but crucial. This is why we firmly believe that at the next elections the people of Seychelles will give us the mandate to lead this country forward.
The first event was the unanimous approval of a motion I had brought to the National Assembly asking that a medical survey be carried out amongst the residents living around the PUC electricity station at Baie Ste Anne, Praslin, to establish the high prevalence of asthma and other illnesses caused by soot from the station.
This is a situation that has existed since the setting up of the station some 25 years ago. The stories that people related to me about their health conditions were shocking. Adults testify that they only contracted asthma when they were over 40 years old. Most households had a nebuliser to take care of asthma attacks. And yet the residents who inhale that dangerous soot 24/7 are still being made to pay their electricity bills. In other words they are paying for the pollution that is slowly killing them.
The approval of that motion showed clearly that the SNP was doing its work as the people’s representatives in the Assembly. We have laid the problem before the government and the hope now is to see the Executive take prompt action and relieve the people of this serious health situation.
I also hope that Government, through the PUC will accept the proposition I made that all the affected residents be exempt from paying electricity bills as a form of compensation for their suffering.
The second event was the release of Mr. Terry Sandapin after spending 11 months in police custody on a bogus charge of trafficking in dangerous drugs. Those who knew Terry were convinced that he was innocent from the day he was arrested. I am very happy for him and his family that this has finally been proven through the judgement of the Supreme Court.
This event clearly shows that our stance for a more professional police force is vital for the country. While the fight against illegal drugs must be a constant and persistent one, the rights of citizens must be respected. The law must capture criminals and protect innocent people, not the other way round. No innocent person must be set up, arrested and convicted. The police have to do their job of fighting crime, but not one of inventing crime.
The third event was the ruling by the Constitutional Court in favour of Mr. Alwyn Talma. Government rejected his application to build a tourism establishment on his property at Anse Lazio, Praslin while he was advised to sell the land to foreign investors. This made it clear that he was the problem and not the site.
We have defended the right of Mr. Talma to be able to pursue his development, against the arbitrary decision of Government authorities, backed by both President Michel and (former) Vice-President Belmont.
The SNP, mainly through Hon. Préa had brought the case before the Assembly on a number of occasions, and yet Government stuck to its decision. The ruling party MNA for that district even mocked at the thought of Mr. Talma being granted planning permission.
The Constitutional Court made it clear that his rights had been affected and that the decisions of Government had been illegal. This is right because the law should be applied to everyone without prejudice or favour, contrary to what happened in the case of the construction of Sheikh Khalifa’s palace.
The examples above show that the fight for better Government is being won step by step. We can move forward as a country by respecting the rights of our citizens and applying the same law for everyone. It is the difference that the SNP will make in Government, and our our country will be better for it.
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