“SEYCHELLES POST COVID-19 RECOVERY”
Dear Editor,
A letter from the heartThe pandemic of the COVID-19 crisis has had enormous impact on our society and country, and has given rise to a wide range of political, economic, and social challenges. To surmount this crisis our leaders must strive for better coalition, cohesive, integral and realistic cooperation, so that we can minimize its effects and achieve a better life for the people of Seychelles.
The pandemic has brought the tourism-based economy of our small country to its knees and will leave many unemployed in its wake. Measures to ease the liquidity must be taken in order to avert a long-term economic disaster. Firstly I call for efforts to increase access to affordable internet especially to the youths so that our labour force and our youths may harness the new digital environment and parameters required to transform a considerable part of our way of working, learning and doing business. In attaining affordable internet access to the majority we are also ensuring that the population at large does not miss key information about the pandemic.
I support the financial assistance for job retention program me though I feel that it could have been implemented in a more seamless and coordinated manner. We should look for progressive debt relief for all sectors especially those severely impacted by the COVID-19.
As the National Unity Advocate, I call on the head and leaders of our country to showcase more love for the people of Seychelles. LOVE is the greatest technology of the 21st century for it is the centre of solidarity, compassion, respect, cooperation, family, charity, and many other concepts that will be key to a successful century. Our Seychellois men and women needs to cohere in ‘Unity through diversity’, to work together for our human development and greater welfare of our people.
Seychelles has the ability to expand investment in agriculture and fisheries, which would help it develop more sustainable and resilient supply lines. We also have to recognize the ‘Offshore sector’ as an important pillar of our economy, now that the tourism industries have been severely impacted by the pandemicSeychelles’ post-COVID economic recovery will depend on the initiative, creativity and involvement of eachand every individual residing in Seychelles and every single citizen of Seychelles. We have now got to move forward together, face this pandemic crisis together, stand together to over the effects of the epidemic and eventual grow with much individual experience to our economic recovery. Our shared Christian heritage can be the basis for a stable and productive interchange, and will be vital in how we pave our economic recovery post-COVID-19. The gospel of every Christian faith will be important to guide us to a more realistic future.Our leaders need to ensure that the sovereignty of Seychelles is not compromised by this economic disaster and our supportive countries and nations do not take advantage of our default on our debts to increase their international influence in Seychelles.
The resounding thought of engaging in blue economic activities and seizing green energy opportunities through increased investments in ‘renewables’ can contribute to post COVID-19 economic recovery and create more jobs in Seychelles as well as cushion the impact of loss tourism earnings now and in the future. Let us all join in a brainstorm and take an in-depth look at the country’s economy and future outlook’. Before ending, I want to address the people of Seychelles at this crossroad. Soon we shall be re-opening our economy to the outside world, by opening our airspace. The risks will be high, but we have got to work in synergy, as a team, to ensure that all the protocols of the Department of Health are adhered to and we can safely cruise though, though we shall still be exposed to the pandemic, thereafter.
Jacob Terence Madeleine
Writer, National Unity Advocate
Date: 07th July 2020
