Seychelles National Assembly has turned down the opposition’s demand to cancel Statutory Instrument for courier services regulations, the country’s local media reports.
This comes after the Wednesday, September 20 session, during which twenty-two lawmakers voted against the motion, and ten others voted in support.
The National Assembly deliberated on the Postal Sector (Clearance of Courier Goods and Door-to-Door Delivery) Regulations, which recently kicked into motion on 1 September 2023.
According to local media, the regulations provide for the changes in relation to handling parcels. This means individuals patronising the services will no longer be required to pass through strenuous clearance procedures for parcels valued between R3,000 (197 euros) and above. Courier services will be sorely responsible for handling this process.
The Government of Seychelles said keeping such regulations in place will promote effective “door-to-door” courier services and as well, improve the overall quality of service delivery for customers.
Seychelles opposition leader Sebastien Pillay, has argued that the government was yet to offer any tangible explanations regarding courier services, further emphasising that enforcing the regulations could lead to additional fees from courier service providers, as an unnamed courier company had already taken a step to make an increment.
Pillay, who was joined by other opposition members such as Egbert Aglae, elected United Seychelles (US) member for Port Glaud, Johan Loze, Aubrey Vidot, and Rocky Uranie, said the new regulations put consumers at a disadvantage, as couriering fees will automatically go up, especially for those in remote areas.
The lawmaker criticised the Government for not thinking through their decision, urging them to be more “calculative” when it comes to making important decisions for the country and its citizens.