Seychelles government malpractice/benchmark -

[Grandlarousse]

New human resource board members appointed

04-November-2014
President James Michel has appointed the board members of the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD).
This is in accordance with Section 9 of the Agency for National Human Resource Development Act, 2013.

The members have been appointed for a three-year period, effective October 1, 2014.

The board is chaired by Jean-Michel Domingue, with Antonio Lucas as vice-chairperson.
The other members are Damien Thésée, Yvonia Richardson, Victor Pool, Fiona Ernesta, Pamela Camille. Margaret Pillay is the agency’s chief executive.
The mandate of the agency is to implement government policies in respect of human resources development in the country.

In the fulfillment of its mandate, the agency has as main functions to design and implement strategies for the effective development of human resources; coordinate national human resources planning and utilisation and development of human resources in the public and private sector.

The agency is also responsible to administer and manage the government of Seychelles’ scholarship scheme and the tertiary training fund.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243521

[Grandlarousse]

Workshop highlights importance of ethics

A two-day training on ethics in the workplace is being held for trainers, ethic officers and human resource personel of the public service.

Organised by the Public Officers’ Ethics Commission (POEC), the training session was launched yesterday at the ex-National Assembly Hall, National House.

Those attending the training were informed that strict observance of ethical standards and principles is essential for the reputation of an organisation as well as for the respect and trust that the public service should earn from its clients and the public in general.

In her opening remarks, the chief executive of the POEC, Mina Crea, told delegates that service in the government is subject to the highest standards of conduct and integrity in accordance with the Code of Ethics along with the Constitution of Seychelles and the Public Sector Orders.

“Therefore it goes without saying that it is the responsibility of a public officer not to engage in unethical behaviour and also to report such incidence to the relevant authority,” Mrs Crea said.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243547

[Grandlarousse]

Editors discuss issues affecting them in forum

11-November-2014
Why has the Seychelles Media Commission not reacted to Pure FM radio station’s decision to stop airing its economy programme with Ahmed Afif and why are government ministries and agencies not advertising in political newspapers were some of the hot issues discussed during yesterday’s editors’ forum.

Organised by the Seychelles Media Commission, the forum took place at the ex-National Assembly hall at National House and also featured a presentation on the Maldives Broadcasting Commission by its commissioner Mohamed Aslam.

The commission’s president Mohamed Shahyb was also present and answered the many queries the editors and other media houses’ representatives had.

An independent body, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission came into existence on April 4, 2011 and issues broadcasting licences to broadcasters and rebroadcasters in the archipelago of 1,200 coralline islands.

The Seychelles Media Commission, whose chairman and chief executive is Ibrahim Afif, once again said it is working on reviewing the existing media-related legislations and these include the Seychelles Media Commission Act.

With local media practitioners needing more training to better understand the ethics and what journalism entails, the commission said it will be running a seminar in December on how to report about judicial proceedings. This follows many complaints received by the commission that the reporting of some media houses has influenced the judgement in some court cases.

Members of the commission also explained that there is an ongoing investigation into why the FM radio station decided to stop airing its economy programme with Ahmed Afif and that the outcome will be made public.

On the issue of advertising, a former editor said government ministries and agencies favours one particular newspaper and described it as some kind of subsidy, but the Seychelles Media Commission said it thinks it is more a question of the advertisers’ choice.

This was the second editors’ forum after the first one held in September last year.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243600

[Grandlarousse]

Le Président Michel en visite officielle à Paris

26-November-2014
Le Président James Michel avait rencontré le Président de la République Française, M. François Hollande, lors du 4ème Sommet de la COI, à Moroni, aux ComoresRépondant à l’invitation de son homologue français M. François Hollande, Président de la République Française, le Président James Michel, Président de la République des Seychelles, effectuera, la semaine prochaine, une courte visite de travail à Paris.

Le Président Michel sera accompagné du Ministre des Affaires étrangères M. Jean-Paul Adam et le Conseiller diplomatique à la Présidence, l'Ambassadeur Callixte d'Offay.

Au cours de sa visite, le Président Michel aura des entretiens avec le Président Hollande.
Cette rencontre intervient quelques mois seulement après celle qui les avait réunis avec les autres Chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernement de la Commission de l’Océan Indien (COI) lors du 4ème Sommet de la COI, à Moroni, aux Comores.

Cette visite en France est une opportunité pour les Seychelles et la France de renforcer leurs relations dans les domaines de l’Economie bleue, la lutte contre le changement climatique, le tourisme, les énergies nouvelles et la sécurité maritime.

Le Président rencontrera des investisseurs français intéressés par les possibilités offertes aux Seychelles dans les secteurs de l’Economie bleue, le tourisme et les énergies nouvelles.

M. Michel aura également des entretiens avec les dirigeants du Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF) International, et de l’Agence française de développement (ADF).

A noter que la dernière visite officielle du Président Michel à Paris remonte à octobre 2007.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243769

[Grandlarousse]

CAA and PSAB chairpersons appointed

28-November-2014



Marie-Ange Hoareau has been appointed chairperson of the Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA) while John Renaud is the chairperson of the Public Service Appeal Board (PSAB).

Ms Hoareau has been appointed by the President of the Republic following the recommendation by the two other members, Marlene Lionnet and Jane Carpin, in accordance with Article 140 (3), whereby the two members were unable to agree on the appointment of the third member and chairperson of the authority.
The appointment is for a period of seven years and is effective from November 26.

Ms Lionnet was reappointed by the President on October 30, 2014 following her term since 2007 and Ms Carpin was appointed by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, David Pierre, on November 3, 2014, in accordance with Article 140 (1) (a) of the Constitution. Both appointments are for seven years.

Mr Renaud has been appointed as chairperson of the PSAB, in accordance with Article 148 (1) of the Constitution of Seychelles, by the two members of the board, Georges Gills and Amedée Rose.

Mr Renaud’s appointment is for a period of seven years and is effective from November 7.

Mr Gill was reappointed to the board by the President on October 31, 2014, having served his term since October 2007. Mr Rose was appointed on September 29, 2014 by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, David Pierre. Both appointments are for seven years.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243788

[Grandlarousse]

Visite officielle du Président James Michel à Paris

05-December-2014
Les Seychelles et la France expriment leur solidarité dans la lutte contre le changement climatique

Le Président James Michel a rencontré mercredi après-midi le Président français François Hollande au Palais de l’Elysée à Paris. Cette rencontre Le Président James Michel est accueilli au Palais de l’Elysée à Paris par le Président français François Hollande intervient quatre mois après leur réunion lors du Sommet de Chefs d’État et de gouvernement de la Commission de l’Océan Indien (COI), à Moroni, aux Comores.

Les deux présidents ont eu un tête-à-tête, avant de rejoindre leur délégation respective pour des discussions bilatérales.

« L’histoire a créé des relations très fortes entre nos deux pays. Le développement des Seychelles porte la marque indélébile de la France. Chaque Président français et seychellois a su y apporter sa touche personnelle. Ma visite en France traduit donc ma volonté d’approfondir ces liens d’amitié. Les Seychelles seront toujours reconnaissantes à la France pour son engagement constant et efficace à ses côtés. Et à tout moment », a déclaré le Président Michel lors de la réunion.

Il a indiqué que sa visite officielle en France est aussi l'occasion pour les deux Etats d’échanger leurs avis sur les priorités de la COP 21, la 21e Conférence des parties à la Convention cadre des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques, qui aura lieu à Paris en décembre 2015.

« Nous partageons les objectifs français pour parvenir à un accord applicable à tous et juridiquement contraignant à la Conférence de Paris en décembre 2015. Nous continuons d’appeler tous les partenaires d’assurer que la Conférence de Lima ouvre la voie pour la conclusion d’un Accord à la Conférence de Paris en 2015. En tant que petit Etat insulaire en développement de l’Océan Indien, les Seychelles sont disposées à travailler avec la France et les autres Etats insulaires, afin d’aider à surmonter les obstacles qui existent toujours à la finalisation d’un tel accord », a déclaré M. Michel.

Pour sa part, le Président Hollande a également marqué son appui aux initiatives des petits pays insulaires en développement dans la perspective de la Conférence de Paris sur le Climat en 2015. Il a indiqué la forte préoccupation de ces Etats, menacés par le changement climatique, les cyclones et la montée des eaux. Il a rappelé son ambition de parvenir en 2015 à un accord universel et contraignant permettant de limiter à 2 degrés le réchauffement climatique.

M. Hollande a estimé que la visite du président seychellois marquait le renouvellement d'une coopération étroite entre les deux pays qui partagent de nombreux objectifs similaires.

Il a suggéré que les deux pays créent des synergies pour le concept de l'Economie bleue, et l’exploitation des ressources océaniques de façon durable.

Le Président Hollande a indiqué son soutien d'aider les Seychelles dans la promotion et le développement de l'Economie bleue dans plusieurs secteurs. La France fournira de l'expertise nécessaire à cet effet.

Les deux délégations ont discuté de la nécessité de resserrer les liens entre les opérateurs économiques par des échanges entre les entreprises des deux pays.

Les Seychelles ont sollicité l'appui de la France pour faire valoir « l'indice de vulnérabilité » comme un outil efficace pour mesurer le développement des PEID.

Durant la réunion bilatérale, les Seychelles et la France ont discuté de la question de l'échange de dette contre l'investissement pour renforcer la résilience des Seychelles face au changement climatique.

Le Président Hollande a donné son accord pour ouvrir une réflexion sur l’échange de dette au service de l’adaptation au changement climatique.

Le Président Michel a remercié la France pour les efforts considérables qu’elle a apportés aux Seychelles et à l'Océan Indien en ce qui concerne la sécurité maritime pour répondre aux défis de la piraterie et l’instabilité en Somalie.

« La France a été le premier pays à répondre à notre appel à l’aide dans la lutte contre la piraterie maritime dans l’Océan Indien. Nous souhaitons fermement poursuivre cette coopération ; bien que les attaques des pirates soient moins fréquentes actuellement nous devons rester sur nos gardes. Nous voulons continuer donc à travailler étroitement avec la France pour promouvoir la sécurité maritime et lutter contre les autres activités criminelles transfrontalières, y compris le terrorisme. »

Le Président Hollande a salué le rôle important joué par les Seychelles en matière de lutte contre la piraterie et a constaté que les efforts de la communauté internationale en soutien aux pays de la région avaient permis une nette réduction des actes commis au large de la Somalie et plus généralement dans l’Océan indien.

Il s’est félicité de la coopération régionale entre les Seychelles, la Réunion et Mayotte.

M. Hollande a aussi salué la décision récente des Seychelles de signer un accord d’échange automatique d’informations, afin de marquer un progrès en matière de transparence fiscale et de respecter les normes de l’OCDE en la matière.

Le Président Michel était accompagné de son ministre des Affaires étrangères Jean-Paul Adam, le Conseiller diplomatique à la Présidence l’Ambassadeur Callixte D’Offay, et l’Ambassadeur des Seychelles à Paris M. Bernard Shamlaye. Présente aussi était l’Ambassadrice de France aux Seychelles Mme Geneviève Iancu.


http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243862

[Grandlarousse]

Major changes to election law approved

13-December-2014
Amendments to the Elections Act (Cap 262)) based on recommendations of the Electoral Commission have been approved by the National Assembly.

The amendments, which concern numerous sections of the law relating to voter registration and the voting process, procedures for nomination of candidates, party political broadcasts (PPBs) among others, were presented by Vice-President Danny Faure in the Assembly earlier this week.

Section 5(1) of the Election Act deals with qualifications for registration as a voter. At present there is no provision for minimum age for registration. Hence section 5 of the Act is amended to include the requirement of a minimum age of 18 years for registration as a voter. This is in line with Article 114 of the Constitution.

As per sub section (1) of section 5, a person residing in an electoral area can register as a voter. A new provision is made in this section to make it clear that a citizen of Seychelles living overseas can also register as a voter by fulfilling certain conditions like having a National Identity Card and having resided for at least three months in an electoral area immediately prior to the registration.

Section 6(b) prohibits a person who is serving a prison sentence or being detained under any written law from exercising his right to vote. This prohibition as regards to a person detained (other than convicted) is removed by amending section 6(b) so that a person detained under any written law can exercise his right to vote.

As per section 8(1) the voters’ register is to be available for inspection for a notified period only. This section is amended to make available the voters’ register throughout the year for inspection except for the period when an election is declared by notice under section 13(1).

A new provision is included to make year-round arrangements for registration of new voters, transfer of voters from one electoral area to another and to make changes in the demographic information on the voters’ register.

To make easier year-long registration, a new comprehensive provision is added for establishment of registration centres, procedures for submitting applications, claims or objections and verifications thereof, appeals and publication of voters and other related matters by way of a new Schedule 3.

Section 9 of the Act is amended to provide for publication of voters’ register on March 31 every year. In the year in which an election is held, an amended register shall be published again immediately when an election is declared. The Electoral Commission is required to provide certified copies of voters’ registers to all registered political parties.

Section 10 is amended to provide for display and inspection of the voters’ registers.

In order to ensure maximum turnout of voters in an election, a new provision is included by way of section 25A requiring the employers to provide ‘time off’ so employees can cast their vote and prohibits deduction of any sum from pay or other remuneration in lieu thereof.

Section 97 deals with the right to free broadcast by candidates and registered political parties. But at present, for this, no specific time allocation is provided in the Act. In order to bring more clarity subsection (2) has been amended prescribing allocation of broadcasting time on television and radio to political parties, candidates and lobbies in case of referendum. The term “text” in relation to a broadcast is also defined by adding subsection (8).

A new Schedule 3 is added to the Act prescribing detailed procedure for registration as voters, nomination, voting and counting.

Amendments to the election law prompted a lot of debate from the House before members of the majority party gave their approval. The leader of the opposition David Pierre, however, abstained.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243933

Assembly approves changes to political parties’ law

13-December-2014
A series of amendments to different sections of the Political Parties Registration and Regulation Act (Cap 173) and the insertion of a new section, 29A and a new schedule therein have been approved by the National Assembly.

The amendments to sections 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 21, 24, 28 and 31 will make effective recommendations made by the Electoral Commission so as to reflect the changes which have taken place nationally and internationally in terms of best practices in that regard.

The amendments came after over 22 years that the law has been in force.

Before coming up with the different recommendations the Electoral Commission had been meeting with all political parties in a consultation and discussion process in line with its mandate.

As per section 5 of the Act, a political party consisting of no fewer than 100 registered members may apply in the prescribed form to the Electoral Commission for registration.

In order to give the process a more serious and responsible approach it was proposed to amend section 5 which stipulates that the applicants for registration of a political party shall be registered voters of 18 years of age and that the application for registration shall contain the name, address and national identity number of the leader, secretary, treasurer and other office bearers of that party.

Presenting the amendments for Assembly consideration and approval, Vice- President Danny Faure noted that with regard to the above issue, in the past the age of the 100 applicants was not clearly specified.

The issue of funding, source of funding for political parties and other related matters are addressed in sections 24, 28 and the newly added section 29A.
Vice-President Faure pointed out that when the law came into force over 22 years ago it had a no disclosure policy when it came to the source of funding and identity of the donors but with the amendments this will no longer be the case.

“With evolution in politics, in democratic systems, in international standards, the time has come for political parties to have new principles and a new policy which is that of disclosing their source of funding and identity of the donors but within the law,” Vice-President Faure pointed out, noting that the amendments provide the necessary legal framework for that.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243931

[Grandlarousse]

DICT staff rewarded for long service

15-December-2014


Sixteen members of staff who have been working for the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) since it was set up 10 years ago have been rewarded for their loyal service.

This was during a ceremony held on Thursday afternoon at National House and attended by Vice-President Danny Faure, who is also responsible for Public Administration, among other guests.

During the ceremony guests were able to retrace the DICT’s progress through a video and Vice-President Faure and the DICT’s principal secretary Benjamin Choppy cut an anniversary cake to mark the occasion.

Addressing the awardees and guests Vice-President Faure said today we are honouring 16 loyal and long-serving employees, who come from all levels of the department and without whom the organisation would not be where it is today.

“Today, the Department of ICT or DICT as it is more commonly known, has grown to be a mature, respected and experienced organisation that can be counted on to deliver on its functions and roles within government,” he said.

Vice-President Faure pointed out that 10 years is not a long time in an organisation’s existence but it is an important milestone nevertheless for the DICT which has achieved much in that time, either directly or indirectly, by working through partners.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243948

[Grandlarousse]

Opinion: A case for planning commission

29-December-2014
Seychelles is a fast developing nation committed to securing a better future for the people by providing a stronger and more vibrant economy. The Preamble to the Constitution of Seychelles casts an obligation on the State to “participate actively in the sustainable economic and social development of our country.”

The administrative machinery of the State is well defined and its bureaucracy is predominantly based on rationality, merit and professionalism. Apart from traditional subjects like Finance, Defence, Health, Education and the like, the modern State functions have embarked upon unconventional themes such as Environment, Risk and Disaster Management or even Quality Control. The dimensions of State activities have multiplied enormously putting added responsibility and greater accountability on the executive.

Policies in the ministries may be designed on sectoral lines in keeping with their specific needs and compulsive constraints. Very often the divergent goals of different ministries and the multiplicity of approaches and processes pursued by them have created conflicting situations and even hurdles in the smooth and proper administration of the State to attain the ultimate welfare of the people. To resolve such inevitable conflict in administration and to ensure a balanced and coordinated executive function many modern States have devised a centralised mechanism “to plan, prioritise and direct national activities through effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation by providing advisory services” to achieve sustainable socio-economic development of the country.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244072

[Grandlarousse]

Social Renaissance Review - People empowerment at the core of 2014 initiatives

31-December-2014
Parents' interest show concern over issueThe Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports took the National Social Renaissance campaign to the next level this year as it sought at empowering people at risks though various initiatives, projects and activities.

“The Social Renaissance campaign was not devised in a vacuum to simply address social problems. We have realised that it is going to be a long struggle to change the mindset of people. But we had to start from somewhere. We are battling social ills on every front. We are reaching out to children, parents, workers, neighbours, teenagers, criminals, the vagrants, young delinquents, the unemployed, drug addicts, alcoholics, young expecting mothers and, victims of domestic and family violence. We have now reached the stage where we start empowering people to become responsible for their own lives and actions. Our solutions to the social problems can only make a meaningful impact if the victims and people at risks are ready to receive them and change for the better,” Minister Vincent Meriton, who also chairs the National Social Renaissance Committee, says.

As a result, a series of concrete projects, activities and campaigns, new legislations, reforms in policies, new action plans and strategies, all given robust media support, were realised throughout 2014.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244089