Seychellois brothers and sisters,
Today we celebrate the 49th anniversary of Independence. It is our National Day. Allow me to wish all Seychellois here in Seychelles and overseas a Happy National Day. We are Seychellois, wherever we are. Our hearts beat for our beautiful Seychelles. Our flag is the symbol of our pride and our Constitution remains the compass that guides us towards a better future as we rise each morning. My greatest prayer is that we remain united as one people, one nation and we work hard to ensure that every Seychellois child of Seychelles today and tomorrow lives in a country where unity, peace, justice, righteousness and respect are the principles that keep our social cohesion well-cemented and allow us to walk toward greater stability and progress.
Today, our islands, which we call our country, Seychelles, is a name which evokes much pride and as a people, we should be proud of all that we continue to accomplish. We are recognised as an example at all levels : whether in the development of our people, a vibrant democracy where liberty and respect for the rights of every individual are recognised, in the freedom of expression where everyone is free to express themselves, at work, where there is an abundance of choice, a country where discrimination and victimisation are identified and eliminated, a country where every child gets the same opportunity to progress and where it is meritocracy that determines how you progress in life ; a country where the support of the state is granted to all of Seychelles’ children without any preference. And so, with such a foundation, we proclaim ourselves as a nation blessed under the heavens, and when we continue to walk that path, we are simply taking the road that will take us higher to greater success in this modern world. With every sunrise, we will move forward with even more determination because turning back will never be an option leading to progress, but rather towards the destruction of our precious gains.
Brothers and sisters, Seychelles continues to make progress. Year after year, we are becoming more recognized internationally, regionally, and locally. We may be the smallest African country, and one of the smallest countries in the world, but when it comes to human development and economic achievements and the protection of our beautiful planet, we are a giant compared to many other nations. Today we are considered the only free democracy in Africa where all rights are recognized. On the Mo Ibrahim Index that looks at governance, we are first; Seychelles is the least corrupt country in Africa. We rank 18th globally, ahead of most European countries and even the United States, and first by a long way in Africa. The IMF, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other financial institutions use us as an example, and in the development targets through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), once again we are on target. Seychelles is considered as the top country in Africa in terms of economic stability and security for investments and our level of development remains the dream of many other nations.
A peaceful nation where justice and the welfare of the people come first. Let us preserve these achievements, for if we are not careful, they can fast disappear from our sight.
But we are not content with reciting praise for accomplishments, but rather, we continue to look ahead so as to convert all the challenges we face into new opportunities. This is why we remain an active administration that takes firm decisions leading us automatically to acts that benefit our people. Making necessary and important decisions even when they are unpopular has ensured our progress. I remain convinced that if each one of us took our rights and responsibilities seriously, the welfare of our people and the economic development of our country would rise to another level and this would improve the lives of every Seychellois and everyone would see a big improvement in their standard of living. Can we do it? The answer remains unequivocally a big yes. And so, on the occasion of our National Day, I once again invite each one of us to make it our morning resolution, that at all times we look at what I, as an individual, can do for my country and the welfare of each of its children. Find out how I can give my family the encouragement they need so that each head under my roof can fulfill their dreams and progress in peace, love and a brotherly spirit under the guidance of the Supreme Master.
We are continuing to make progress. Today we all see how our children are taking their studies more seriously. Every time I attend a graduation ceremony, and as you know, I insist on being present, I hear how the results have improved. I like to meet young people who have excelled at the local level, and at international levels. When a Seychellois comes first, it is the pride of our nation. I am also happy to see how many more of our youth, with the support of their families, are engaging in sports activities and letting positivity become their way of life. I see that the fight against obesity amongst our children and young people has really taken off and today, at home, in school and on the roads our youth are carrying less fat. I see activities where more young people are rejecting a destructive life in the pursuit of a fleeting pleasure and moving towards one which is permanent and constructive.
My children, continue along this path and I give you all of my support. This is good and I will continue to encourage you. I also call on parents to take their responsibilities more seriously. Hold your children's hands and make sure that the jewel you brought to Earth receives all the support they need to realize their dream, because after all Seychelles is the place where today you can become what you really want to be. The country provides the means, but it all depends on your effort and your concientiousness.
Seychellois brothers and sisters, as a country, we have an immense responsibility to do all we can to address pertinent issues concerning human development and welfare, the cost of living, infrastructure development, improved work conditions, protection of the environment and the fight against the scourges that invade and destroy our social fabric. Every decision that we take is to that end. But as I always say, I cannot do everything alone with my cabinet and members of the Assembly. For our country to truly function and make more progress that benefits us all, it is important and essential that we join hands and act in concert at all times.
Seychellois brothers and sisters, let us work together in unity to achieve these goals. I encourage people in business to focus not only on profit, but also to have great consideration for every Seychellois child and family. Its result: the cost of living would go down. The cost of living concerns us all, and today I once again appeal to the concience of each one of us, to make a special effort to see how we all, as conscientious people, can make our presence count and participate in improving the lives of our people, especially those who are weakest. Let us put our shoulders together and leave our mark in improving the lives of our people. I take STC and SEYPEC as two examples which continue to pass on any of their profit to our people. Let's keep on doing it. Therefore, I invite all importers, all retailers in the districts and everyone who delivers a service to join me in giving our people the best possible deal from today.
Brothers and sisters, I will always look for ways to also improve all of our country’s infrastructure. This also has an impact on the cost of living. A good road allows you to spend less on car parts. You have seen for yourself how this government has remained faithful in delivering on capital projects. Today all three of our main islands have undergone significant development. Just during the month of June, we saw the inauguration of SEYPEC stations on Praslin and La Digue to provide facilities for fishermen and for leisure vessels to obtain their fuel directly from the pump instead of walking around with containers of fuel. Praslin has also received a vehicle testing station, Beau Vallon has seen the opening of the esplanade that gives that stunning beach a new face of leisure.
Several housing projects will be opening soon at Pointe Larue, Cascade, Baie Lazare, Anse Boileau, Perseverance, St. Louis and Anse Etoile. This will also join several others that have already started. The Baie Ste Anne Police Station will open in early July like the Baie Lazare clinic, a dream that has finally come true. La Rosière School and La Digue School, two forgotten dreams have also begun. Construction of community centres in Cascade, Perseverance and Bel Ombre is progressing well, while contractors are getting ahead on the Anse Aux Pins regional clinic and the new facility at the Baie Ste Anne hospital. The Day Care facilities at Les Mamelles, Mont Fleuri, Anse Royale and Souvenir will open their doors soon to offer good services to parents. The Elderly Home at Au Cap is in the final stages of renovation and residents will move into their homes soon. The Anse Royale sports facility and the Rehabilitation Centre for those on substances and who want to be free of them will start soon, while the Hope Centre at Bon Espoir is progressing very well. Some hundred small community projects are ongoing in all districts, the installation of street lights and resurfacing of small roads everywhere are helping to give a new face to our districts even as they provide more security to residents. The South West Coast Road, from Anse Royale to Anse à La Mouche is being completed. Everyone is saying Maravi has become a highway!
Brothers and sisters, I will not go over the list of the other achievements that we have managed to make during this mandate full of challenges such as COVID that put our country on its knees, the Russia / Ukraine war that has raised the price of maritime transportation and oil prices, the war between Israel and Hamas and its negative results in the Red Sea. All these worrying international events have a direct impact on us, who are in the middle of the ocean. But our resilience as a nation and our determination to fight against all negativity has allowed us to keep our heads above water and to continue to swim. This is the Seychellois Creole spirit, and we will continue to let it flourish in our nation.
Brothers and sisters, during World Beach Soccer, our nation came together in unity and peace in an extraordinary way. We supported Seychelles and we remained positive, even if our team lost. That's what I call a patriotic spirit. Today on the occasion of our National Day, I once again ask that this spirit imbues us all and become the force that will always allow us to perceive positivity in our studies, in our work, in our leisure and in everything we do. As a patriot, remember that the cleanliness of my country depends on me. Yes, it's fun to go on a picnic, but wouldn't it be much more pleasant if we took our garbage back and left the beach as clean as we found it when we came to use it? Is it too difficult for us to use the bins properly? Is it not our duty to protect our visitors instead of ripping them off that they decide not to return to Seychelles? Can we not make a positive contribution to the development of our youth instead of importing drugs and participating in illegal activities that destroy our workforce and the Seychellois children? At work, would it not be much better for us to deliver rather than boycotting and doing the minimum possible even if it is our brothers and sisters who suffer from our actions?
All these are the reflections that I want each of us to make today. And to realise that our country will achieve more success only if together as a people, we all come together and fulfill our role, assume our responsibilities and exercise our rights.
In closing, I would like to thank all Seychellois who rise in the morning to make a contribution to the development of our beautiful country. Thank you, all workers! Thank you, all the youth in your preparation to lead our country! Thank you to everyone who keeps our Seychelles beautiful. Thank you to all our pensioners for your contribution which has brought us to where we are today.
Today we renew our commitment to work hard for our country Seychelles. I am proud to be a Seychellois. Every day I fall in love again with my country and the people of Seychelles. Together we continue to invoke the blessings of Almighty God on our Seychelles and on all Seychellois.
Let's make Seychelles stronger! Let's make Seychelles more beautiful!
Happy National Day !
Thank you