The Better Role of GEF/UNDP in Seychelles: Equity and Opportunity

The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) small grants programme (SGP) was launched for the first time in the Seychelles and reported on the Nation on the 13.07.2009. It gives Seychelles a major funding boost for supporting community-based organizations in addressing global environmental concerns through small-scale activities at local level. With no surprise this has emerged as another controversial issue in the Seychelles and we are motivated by a recent publication on the blog at S*T*A*R (Seychelles Truth Accountability Reality). A civil servant initially complained on Monday the 27th July that the Seychelles Presidential advisor have conflict of interest with GEF funds and alleges him for corruption and power hunger. Whether this is a direct form of corruption is for people to judge but certainly this amount to power hunger.

Link up at http://starseychelles.blogspot.com/ for further details.

Firstly, the appointed 14 members of the national steering committee (NSC) as reported in the Nation local news paper are heavily government members with top political roles within the current Government of Seychelles, including SPP/SPPF steering committee. Some are failed SPPF MNA candidates trying to crab another opportunity. It is simply not believed that such composition will be fair in decision making for critical support of all the country’s communities and civil society.

Secondly, have we had enough of one men show in this country? GEP and UNDP were supposed to promote equitable participation but are they following their mandates according to the UN values or should they become more accountable? The big question asked is the multiple and conflicting roles of the operational focal person of the GEF Dr Rolph Payet who clearly have too many responsibilities as long as his hands, legs and head are dipped into the big money bag of projects.

It is not only a question of unbalanced membership, and one men show in Seychelles, but how these same people will screen projects to satisfy what and who they please. It is known that members of the same steering committee have already formed clubs and questionable civil societies or consultancies pretending to be non –government originations (NGO) just to mainstream and absorb most of the project funds.

GEF and UNDP should not fall in the trap of promoting the wrong visions and mission of the UN, which among many includes promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights through equal participation and opportunities. This implies GEF and UNDP should consider immediate steps and mechanisms to address this issue once and for all in the Seychelles.
Freeseychelles members will continue to advocate both internally and externally on this issue to ensure equity and equal opportunity as our mission represents.