SNP leader Wavel Ramkalawan opened the National Assembly debate on the State of the Nation on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

The State of the Nation reply is one of the rare occasions  when the Leader of the Opposition can address the people of Seychelles on state funded national media. The privilege is one that President Michel enjoys and makes use of to the full but which has been denied to the other side of the political field.

Mr. Ramkalawan said he would address not only the state of the nation but also present a vision for the years ahead. He outlined what can be taken as key points in his political platform for the coming Presidential election campaign and also some of the main commitments for Government.

The vision is for a nation that is united and able to work without obstacles for a better future. Seychelles is blessed and can secure a brilliant future for its people, Mr. Ramkalawan said. He believed in a Seychelles where the rights of all citizens were respected and guaranteed.

The SNP leader offered a vision of Seychelles in which people are free of anxiety or fear but instead where  opportunities are open for Seychellois to work for their future. He pledged to declare, in the first days of forming a Government, an end to all political discrimination in Government.

Improving conditions for workers and families is one of the key targets for an SNP Government. Mr. Ramkalawan reiterated proposals for a reduction in taxes on salaries so as to allow workers to take more money home.  He also repeated pledges to revise salaries for public sector workers and to establish a mechanism with the private sector to review salaries.

Mr. Ramkalawan emphasised commitments to resources for education saying that the country would not be able to build a modern economy without an educated work force. His Government would organise a program to train young people without work for existing  jobs, he said.

The work for a better future also called for tackling  the social problems faced by the country such as drugs, crime and prostitution, the SNP leader said.
Another theme addressed by Mr. Ramkalawan was the need strengthen national institutions to ensure that they play their full role in our country.