FACT FINDING MISSIONS EXTENDED TO SCAA
(Posted 28th November 2016)
Mr. Alain St. Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine has continued to meet staff working in several departments of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) earlier this week.
The first such meetings was with the Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS) whilst in the second one he addressed and listened to issues of the housekeeping, airport management, maintenance, information technology, telecom, electrical and technical services sections.
Attending the meeting were the Principal Secretaries of Tourism Anne Lafortune and Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Mr. Garry Albert, the Chief Executive of SCAA Mr. Gilbert Faure, the General Managers of Airport Management Patrick Hoareau and of Management and Operations Wilfred Fock-Tave. Some of the meetings were also attended by Captain David Savy, the Chairperson of the SCAA.
Points raised during these meetings included a slip-way for rescue boats on Praslin, as well as risk and lodging allowances for fire officers on the same island. It was also pointed out that facilities for staff should be renovated and upgraded.
Tax deduction on gratuity payment, a dumping site near Praslin airport and training opportunities for staff were also discussed during these meetings.
Minister St. Ange assured staff that he will address the concerns raised with Mr Faure, the CEO of the SCAA and with Captain Savy, the Chairperson of the Authority, and find solutions to recurrent issues affecting them. He also informed them of his intention to conduct visits at the AFRS department on Mahe, and staff lodgings on Praslin.
Parking space for staff, the poor access route to the site on Praslin, communication between heads of department and certain employees, lack of information provided to middle management, concerns about the distribution of certain benefits and information within the organisation were also raised by those attending the meetings.
Minister St. Ange has appealed to the SCAA management team to have quarterly meetings to address staff concerns. He has also called on the SCAA staff to see their heads of their departments when they have issues that need resolving. Minister St.Ange also informed them of his open door policy especially in instances where they feel that matters affecting them are not being addressed by upper management. ‘This series of meetings has been very informative. Many of the challenges or points of concern raised by staff members are the same ones heard from the different group meetings with the airport staff members. We know that we need to continue to work with the Chairman of the Board to see policy matters to ensure that our large contingent of staff at the SCAA are all happy knowing that their points raised have been heard‘ said Minister Alain St.Ange.
Minister St. Ange, while serving in the portfolio of Tourism and Culture, had made it a point to regularly meet stakeholders in the tourism industry, interact directly with the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, a move which benefited the sector as bottle necks were identified and solutions found.
