Turning Possibilities into Realities_1

18 March 2009

Mr Steve Lalande
CEO LUNGOS
Victoria

Dear Mr Lalande

Subject: Report of the Launching of the Capacity Building Development and Training by Thematic Sector for all Non-State Actors

On Wednesday 4th March 2009 TESS was invited by The Academy of Civil Society, Seychelles (an organisation which I never knew even existed - excuse my ignorance) to attend the above-named function.

TESS accepted to participate for its project proposal entitled Advocacy Programme on the Stages in the Development of Ecotourism Venture had received the approval of LUNGOS and the other powers that be and SR 25,000 has been earmarked to undertake the project during a period of 10 months.

Today TESS wishes to express its sincere thanks to LUNGOS, UNDP and EU for having given their consent and approval to our submission and we look forward to the implementation of the project as planned.

However before we start getting the process going, we would like to seek some clarification from LUNGOS for the following reasons:

For one: Although it was clearly stated on the programme for the occasion, I was unaware that I personally had to sign the Agreement on that day, for LUNGOS had never provided us with a copy, prior to the occasion, for our evaluation and agreement to the Terms of Reference stipulated therein. Since I had no idea of the text in question I felt very uncomfortable to sign a document/ un fait accomplithat I had not even read, not even giving my written consent to, a situation that has never ever happed in my 54 years of existence. You did catch me by surprise.
At one time during the ceremony I felt that I should raise the issue, but then being the seasoned diplomat that I am, I decided to go along with it, so as not to derail the ceremony nor to embarrass all present including dignitaries such as the Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Mrs Marie-Pierre Lloyd.
In the final analysis, while I deeply felt that the integrity of TESS has been violated by that incident, I decide to go along with the signing and equally gave a short press interview, only to regret for having done so, after reading the Agreement an hour later, for the following reasons:-

The procedure/condition for the disbursement of funds which stipulates as follows:-
a) LUNGOS shall reimburse the Recipient for expenditures incurred by the Recipients for the Project and
b) LUNGOS through UNDP Mauritius shall disburse funds (on a refund basis after Reception of receipts through LUNGOS) to realise the Project Proposal are not at all clear to me.

Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I can deduce from the above mentioned two conditions, LUNGOS is not providing any funds what so ever to jump start the project, that TESS has to somehow source out its very on funds to undertake the mission, which will eventually by reimbursed by UNDP through LUNGOS.

Should it be the case and since TESS has no such funds whatsoever to jump start this particular process, we will be left with no choice but to consider giving due consideration of terminating this Agreement immediately by giving 30-days notice.

For we are also of the view that the procedure is too complicated and time consuming whereby half of the money and men-hours to be allocated will go towards administrative costs, back and forth with the provision of receipts after receipts, reimbursements after reimbursements etc.etc. day in day out certainly not for SR25,000 for to TESS time is real money.

In conclusion, while the conditions in the Agreement may be those imposed by the EU and UNDP whereby we cannot avoid and not necessarily those of LUNGOS, TESS has too much on its plate right now to get entangled by such gridlocks as if our each and every move will be controlled by LUNGOS and/or by others for that matter, something which we will be unable to acquiesce to for we have other more important priorities to attend to right now.

Statement by Mr Bernard Elizabeth Chairman of LUNGOS of 4th of March 2008

In his brief intervention, he stated that LUNGOS has had a meeting with President James Michel and the latter had promised to provide financial support to NGOS.
He also stated that should we have any project in mind to contact the office for possible funding. But where do we start.

For while we wish, to through LUNGOS, thank the President for his kind offer, TESS would be grateful to have more related information as to when, by how much and for what such funds can be allocated and we shall certainly acquiesce should there be a call for proposal...

But this time around we will ensure that we do know all the conditions in advance of our consideration, our consent and approval.

Thirdly, and I stand to be corrected, words are spreading and TESS has recently been made to understand that LUNGOS has in its report to UNDP and EU on the allocation/disbursement of funds indicated that the equivalent of SR 38,500 (in Euro) has been earmarked for TESS, while the latter has signed an agreement for SR 25,000 (in Euro only).

Should it be the case, there must surely be a missing link somewhere, somehow, which needs clarification and unless we get to know it... sorry LUNGOS can keep the money for we do not believe in any form of hanky-panky whatsoever.

Training Program for Civil Society Organisations

I have recently been made to understand that LUNGOS will soon be launching a training programme for Civil Society organisations through the so called Academy of Civil Society, which I have never heard of and know nothing about. Consequently we would certainly like to be informed on the modalities for such training, the faculty and all the elements befitting such an institution of high repute.

Is it already a certified entity like SIM? For we are of the view that to date only SIM could be called upon to undertake such a mission, and that on the other hand the staff of LUNGOS has too much on its hands presently to be able to attend to such bold endeavours on its own .

Yes having the faculty is fair and square, but who do you think your audience will be? for most if not all of the organisations are now much preoccupied in their own sustainable living, trying to make ends meet and there is simply no time to sit on the bench with minds elsewhere, while others could be making a bundle out of other’s preoccupations and deficiencies.

As such, let us instead try to allocate the limited resources available to the less fortunate for them to be able to help others while helping themselves to survive that is the real mission of good hearted people.

In anticipation of a favourable reply soon.

Yours sincerely


Marc MRM Marengo
Ambassador
Secretary General of TESS