Turning Possibilities into Realities_2

1 April 2009

Mr Steve Lalande
CEO
LUNGOS
P O Box 885
Victoria

In his communication of 25th March 2009, the Chairman of LUNGOS emailed to the Chief Executive Officer Lalande and copied to me stating and I quote:-

“Let’s not waste anymore time. TESS will have to “catch up with the commission” as it moves along. But for now, LUNGOS can only help to jump start the small capacity building project if he still wants to go ahead with it. I even wonder if it fits in with our definition of an NGO or is it not more a self-employment project”.

“ADVOCACY PROGRAMME ON THE STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ECOTOURISM VENTURE”

Today I wish to inform LUNGOS and one and all concerned that since TESS as a full Member of LUNGOS has been “slapped right in the face” by the chairman of our organisation whereby revealing his real ulterior motives with regards to TESS and as a result the various other related concerns stipulated in our communications of 6th , 18th and 25th March 2009 whereby concrete answers are still being awaited, TESS is left with no choice but to decline what could be considered as a “tainted” offer by giving one month’s notice taking effect as from today 1st April 2009.

Further as I have said before the 9th EDF Admin Process for NGO’s as follows is like going on “a Mary-go-round in Jurassic Park” getting more confused, day by day, and at times dizzy; surely not for 25 thousand rupees that we do not have, but still have to spend, so as to be reimbursed later by LUNGOS. The SR 5,000 that LUNGOS is now offering as “head start” so as to try and patch up “whatever” has no appeal to TESS ‘whatsoever’....

However I would like to inform one and all concerned that TESS will as soon as possible embark on its very own Advocacy Programme as envisaged in its Strategic Plan for 2008-2013 without the 9th EDF and we shall as usual keep one and all well informed of developments. It is to be noted when I left the Office of the Vice-President on 1st June 2008, I clearly stated my future Plans. I made a solemn promise to the elected leaders of my country and my people to focus my attention on Environment and related Ecotourism issues and our drive to date has proved that we indeed have a Mission to accomplish for the Community and by the Community. And we will succeed regardless....

Transparency and Accountability

TESS Blog Spot – TESS has a Plan – do you? Where is it...?

In response to the chairman’s uncertainties as to whether or not TESS “fits in with LUNGOS definition of NGO”, I would like to request one and all concerned to visit our blog spot: http://ecotourismseychelles.blogspot.com/ on a daily basis for updates on TESS, its origin, where we are at today and our plans for the future...for we do have a PLAN.... There are also ‘jokes’ and ‘titbits’ on there to lighten ‘the spirit for God’s given gifts of life’ which have to be cherished to the fullest every day.

In the meantime, since we are New in the fray and in addition to the clarifications that we have already asked from LUNGOS Secretariat TESS would be grateful to receive the following documents for our evaluation and appropriate action where necessary. Excuse our ignorance but WE DO NEED TO KNOW more what our “umbrella” organisation is all about. For after all TESS is a full paid Member of the organisation and needs to be kept abreast of what’s going on for its contribution and support.

In no particular order:
 LUNGOS definition of an NGO – most important.
 LUNGOS Constitution.
 Report on the last Annual General Meeting.
 Return of expenditure for the year 2008/Audited accounts e.g. what has happen to “a bonus of Aid of more than 1.5 Million Euros in the 2007-2008 period as part of the incentives to stimulate the working together of Government and Civil Society which the Government had signed for with the European Union”.
 Strategic Plan/Programme of work for 2009 – 5 Year Plan, if any.
 Sources of funds/donor agencies, assistance provided thus far for the benefit of Civil Society Organisations.
 Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Non Government Organisations (NGO’s) in Seychelles.
 Board Members of LUNGOS, their Terms of Reference, Honorarium, perks etc.
 Elected members of the various newly established Commissions – duties and responsibilities and perks.
 Full Reports on all the travels that the officials of LUNGOS have undertaken in 2008 to date.
 Faculty Members for the Academy of Civil Society, plus their CVs, and conditions of employment/remunerations, perks etc... LUNGOS seems to be running a marathon right now on this issue....spend...spend... spend... it’s getting late...
 The list of courses/training plus proposed curriculum and names of facilitators being provided by the Academy of Civil Society, the timetable and your Target Audience.
 Staff members of the Secretariat, contact numbers and contracts.
 Date for the next General Meeting, plus Agenda if any.
 Open Forum for Sharing of Ideas by Civil Society Organisations as called for by the Seychelles Head of State, imperative and necessary for the Enhancement of that “Third Pillar”??? If and when to happen...
 Written replies to our various communications/request for clarifications.
 And all other information you deem necessary so as to enlighten the ignorance of TESS “THIS NEW KID ON THE BLOCK”.

TESS is of the view that for the benefit of transparency and accountability, LUNGOS should have all this information readily available for the benefit of All its NGO Members. Since the World Body the United Nations Organisations to which I had the privilege of representing my Country and my People for 14 years operates in an open and transparent manner, there is no reason for the secretariat of LUNGOS to operate otherwise for we do live in the information age, upon which peace, progress and prosperity is heavily dependent upon. Thus let us all act accordingly and swiftly for the benefit of all but not just LUNGOS.

In anticipation of a favourable reply soonest.




MARC MRM MARENGO
AMBASSADOR
SECRETARY GENERAL OF TESS