Forgotten and abandoned by their own government
THE SITUATION ON PRASLIN FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ANSE BOUDIN, ZIMBABWE AND ANSE LAZIO HAVE NOT HAD THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES FROM THE NATIONAL MEDIA
THIS is probably the saddest story after the La Misere water contamination incident. The La Misere incident is being kept in the forefront by various quarters and their stories are being maintained in the limelight and at the top of the agenda until the people of La Misere are paid just and fair compensation. However, the situation on Praslin for the residents of Anse Boudin (in particular), Zimbabwe and Anse Lazio have not had the attention it deserves from the national media; SBC TV, Seychelles Nation, Rising Sun, The People or even Regar.
The plight of the people in that part of the country has been completely forgotten and ignored by their President, their Member of the National Assembly and the elected opposition. They are being left to suffer in silence without any form of support from society; they have become the forgotten people of Seychelles.
Our reporter visited Anse Boudin last Saturday to establish the legitimacy of the many complaints this newspaper has received from residents in the area. It is amazing that what is going on at Anse Boudin has so far escaped the attention of the government and the elected representatives from both sides of the National Assembly. The Raffles Hotel Project on Praslin at Anse Boudin has turned the life of the residents in that area upside down and into a total nightmare. Their quality of life has been severely compromised and altered forever. The devastation of the environment in this area is incomprehensible. The developers and the construction company behind the project which started two years ago didn't consult with the people of Anse Boudin, Anse Lazio or Zimbabwe - their point of view and aspirations for their sub districts has never been taken into consideration, as if they do not exist... The developer is Prince Talal of Saudi Arabia, who is very rich but has little regard for the local population and the environment.
Almost 400 homes comprising of about 1,500 people, plus visitors to that side of the island, are being affected on a daily basis with the activities by Vijay Construction working on the Raffles Hotel Project. In total 700 foreign workers reside and work at the site. Toilet facilities are inadequate and the bush is being inappropriately used by the workers as an alternative. Human wastes are being discharged in the marsh around the construction area and subsequently into the sea. Mud water is continuously flowing into the sea with dire consequences on the marine life. Part of the reef inside the Curieuse Marine Park has been flattened by landing craft to make way for the transportation of building materials to the beach in front of the construction site.
According to a fisherman the marine life inside the reef has been permanently destroyed, there is no more octopus, he told us. The many construction workers are scavenging the trees in the area for fruits; they even go as far as stealing fruits and vegetables from private gardens. They harass local women and girls living closest to the construction area. The life of the people at Anse Boudin, who only a few years ago was comparable to living in paradise, is now hellish.
Their nightmare will not end with the completion of the project, far from it; the main road is being diverted high up into the hills, above the fifty metre mark, which is against building regulations on Praslin. It is steep even for vehicles; it is a death trap commented a man we spoke with.... This is a terrifying prospect for the residents, especially children and the elderly, cycling, which had become a tradition in the area for many, is now out of the window forever. After the road diversion in the mountain has been completed the residents will lose access to the beach in front of the development. These are massive losses of privileges for the people in that area of the island. The government will have to find a way to compensate them for the many sacrifices being forced upon their daily lives.... people from around the country, especially elected representatives, must rally behind the people of Anse Boudin exactly like we have done for the La Misere residents and support them in their fight for compensation against this government; the construction company and the developer for making their lives unbearable!!
Source: Lenouveauseychellesweekly 8-17-10