In Rodrigues, one of the biggest social challenges is communication. While decision makers and administrators are doing their best to develop the island, it takes time for communication to reach the people. According to the owner of a restaurant and a well-known figure in Port Mathurain (it is the capital of Rodrigues) they have a very serious job to do in this sense so that the population is fully aware of what is happening and, in turn, can participate fully in the construction of the nation.
That man also expresses his thoughts that the other problem among the business community is the “get rich quick attitude”. There are many who think at the moment, who engage in unfair business practices, which eventually lead to loss of customer trust and business. One has to think about the future. There’s no need to cheat or quote prices depending on who the customer is; a local friend, a tourist, a rich or a poor. The price must have one for all. Customers are smart enough to find out early if they’re being cheated and they don’t like it. The international economic slowdown has taken its toll on the Rodrigues economy. Most of the hotels and guest houses were left empty, and even today, the revival is very slow. There are not enough visitors, not even from Mauritius.
First they don’t have proper flights. A daily flight that transports barely 70 people, of which about thirty are from Rodrigos, is not enough to fill the hotels and pensions. They need more flights, a bigger runway to receive bigger planes and better airport facilities. The Rodrigues feel that they cannot force Mauritians to travel to Rodrigues with a minimum period of stay and also in a hotel. Has no sense. Most Mauritians have friends in Rodrigues and would like to stay with them and in other cheaper places. They should be allowed to do so because what they will spend will circulate back into the economy.
According to the Rodrigues, they need to undertake aggressive marketing of Rodrigues and all that the island has to offer. They have the necessary infrastructure to offer a dream vacation. This is a land of love and smiles, where the people are warm and friendly. With the rapid pace of development, Rodrigues has seen the destruction of many parts of its wild and wild nature and landscapes, the rise of gambling houses and nightclubs among others. These changes, say many of the inhabitants, have affected the peaceful life that the inhabitants used to enjoy. Their children are the most affected. They are attracted to these types of activities that affect their studies.
Some smoke and drink from a very early age. In fact, excessive alcohol consumption has always been a problem in Rodrigues, and despite the best efforts of authorities, social workers and the church, the problem remains intact. Like any society, they also have many social problems. These are due to poverty and unemployment. They are not insurmountable. Stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, are doing everything humanly possible to combat them. There is no magic wand. They cannot expect things to change overnight. They have to be patient and hopeful because the change in the standard of living and the quality of life is always gradual. There are other young people who understand the value of education; they are interested in it. They know that this is the only way to get out of the poverty trap and build a prosperous and harmonious island.
What is more surprising; most of the educated rodrigos are not interested in migrating to other countries even to the mainland of Mauritius. They prefer to work in Rodrigues, where they were born and educated, although the salary is not as high as in Mauritius. The young Rodrigenses foresee a bright future with the anticipated developments in the tourism sector. Many opportunities will be available to those who are qualified. After their HSC in high school, many of them plan to join hotel school in Mauritius or any other higher education institution.
Bankers and Financial Institutions
A dozen of them are on the island and equally engaged in aggressive marketing. Rodrigues is on the move and there is complete development. Investors need financing and are prepared to meet investor needs, but competition is fierce. Today the way of doing business has changed. Gone are the days when one used to sit in the office and wait for clients to come. Now one has to go out every time and know where to move.
Whoever goes to Rodrigues will clearly discover that the Rodrigues are very adventurous. They no longer rely solely on their personal savings to invest or get ahead. Today the people of Rodrigues are almost five years ahead of their time. They accept things and investments on credit and are willing to commit their income to repay the loan. Whether it is an economic slowdown or not, Rodrigues has no choice but to look to the future, meet all challenges, overcome all obstacles and work its way to find a place of pride within the Mauritian and global economy.