Seychelles government malpractice/benchmark -

[Grandlarousse]

Seychelles’ new strategic plan taken to next level

20-January-2015
Representatives of the Ministry of Land Use and Habitat (MLUH) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council are meeting other partners to discuss the Seychelles Strategic Plan and Victoria Master Plan in the second ‘charette’ or workshop of discussion.

The workshop, being held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), will last four days when the preferred growth strategy will be confirmed.

The ‘charette’ was held in the presence of the Minister for Land Use and Habitat Christian Lionnet, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council representative Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, the director of ARUP (the contracted UK-based consultancy firm) Christopher Tunnel, members of the National Assembly, MLUH and planning authority officials, among other guests.

The workshop is aimed at assessing growth scenarios which include population, transport, resilience, development, community facilities, environment, agriculture, tourism and utilities; securing consensus on proposed growth strategy which highlights what growth goes where, meaning detecting the best possible location where development or growth can take place; developing topic framework plans and understand their policy implications and agreeing on the key issues component for the Victoria Master Plan.

In his speech to launch the discussions, Minister Lionnet said that in May 2014, ARUP, a UK-based independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists was contracted after an extensive procurement process to help the Seychelles government through the Seychelles Planning Authority and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council in developing a vision for Seychelles. This was an initiative of the two leaders – President James Michel and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The same year the initial findings of the consultants were presented to a large group of stakeholders during the first workshop where it was understood the necessity for a strategic plan for Seychelles – a framework plan for Mahé and a Victoria Master Plan.

He congratulated everyone on the simple but far-reaching vision and guiding principles from which the ‘charette’ will consolidate.

“A comprehensive and collaborative approach is critical in developing a plan that is both ambitious yet deliverable and in your active participation that will form and shape this plan,” said Minister Lionnet.

Referring to last year’s national theme ‘Seychelles – a determined island state’, Minister Lionnet said the implementation of such a strategic plan is in itself a reflection of the theme and a shared vision for the future of Seychelles.

“This year the head of state has declared the national theme simply and profoundly “I Love Seychelles” – this strengthens my statement further and it is hoped that this theme motivates us all to the formulation of the new strategic plan of Seychelles towards a finalisation of the framework plan, strategic plan and a master plan for Victoria,” said the minister, adding that this motto helps them to think outside the box and as a Seychellois for the love of this God-given treasure – the Seychelles.

“I emphasise that this plan is for Seychelles and for our own Seychellois people, and it is important that we lay emphasis on diversifying economic growth and classification, striking a balance between the pressing need of environmental protection and availability of land for residential and economic uses, preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage of Victoria and the socio-cultural aspect of the people of Seychelles.”

“Inclusivity is key to a successful plan,” said the minister, referring to the sessions that are being organised at community level across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to offer the opportunity for the community to take part in the making of the plan. The sessions will start on Saturday January 24 and will continue until Tuesday February 3. He urged all Seychellois to be involved.

As for Mr Al Kuwaiti, he confirmed the full support of the Abu Dhabi government and said much of the research, analysis and assessment that will guide the discussions to draw a framework plan for Seychelles’ future have been completed.

He also thanked MLUH and the planning authority for the great work in leading this project.
“Today with the commitment of all in the room, we are moving in the right direction to develop a plan that will make Seychelles confidently proud as it moves forward,” he said.

As for Mr Tunnel, he explained how his firm has developed their strategy from the last ‘charette’ into strategic actions of yesterday’s one – how the vision can be devlopped and the growth scenarios implemented.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244260

[Grandlarousse]

President gives support to ‘Access to Information’ law initiative

21-January-2015


It is expected that Seychelles will soon start discussions on the need to have an ‘Access to Information’ Law now that President James Michel has expressed support for the initiative.

This came out following an advocacy visit the African Union (AU) special rapporteur for freedom of expression and access to information in Africa, Advocate Faith Pansy Tlakula, paid on President Michel at State House yesterday.

“I am here on a mission to encourage State party to the African Charter to adopt this law,” Advocate Tlakula said after her talks with President Michel.

She expressed the fact that she is greatly encouraged that President Michel is supportive of the initiative to start talks on the need to have an Access to Information Law.

“The meeting was very fruitful because we got a commitment from the President himself that discussions on this very important topic led by the Seychelles Media Commission would begin soon,” she stated.

A communiqué from State House said : “The President welcomes the visit of the rapporteur and her team, and expressed support for their plans to hold further consultations in Seychelles for the development of an access to information law based on an African Union model law.

“We are building a strong and functioning democracy. It is important to improve our institutions and ensure transparency and accountability. It is the way forward for the whole continent of Africa to espouse the ideals of freedom of expression and access to information,” said President Michel, who also holds the portfolio for Information.

At the moment only 15 of the 54 AU countries have access to information laws, Advocate Tlakula noted.

Asked what she knows about the situation of freedom of expression and access to information here Advocate Tlakula pointed out that Seychelles is one of the few countries on the African continent which has entrenched the right to information in its Constitution.

She noted that now Seychelles need to translate these provisions into reality by adopting a law which will make them effective.

She also pointed out that the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam has informed her that Seychelles is in the process of repealing the laws relating to criminal defamation and libel as well as of the ongoing constitutional reform process to repeal all laws which are in violation of the Constitution.

“This also shows the country’s commitment to ensuring that freedom of expression and access to information are respected because in most countries there still are criminal defamation laws , insult laws, publication of false news laws which are not just in the statute books but are in use,” she said.

She pointed out that as a result journalists are being prosecuted and sent to prison for expressing their opinions through their writing which is not the case in Seychelles.

Commenting on her discussion on the issue with the speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, Advocate Tlakula expressed satisfaction of the level on commitment shown.

“There is commitment there as well and he stressed on the importance for the country to have an access to information law but we have to be specific and stressed that it is the people of Seychelles who must own the process of developing an access to information law. This cannot come from outside; it must be agreed upon by the people of Seychelles and must be driven by them so that the end product which comes out of the process is owned by the people,” she said.

During her visit here Advocate Tlakula also met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and also had talks with representatives of the civil society organisations, the Seychelles Media Commission, among other key stakeholders.

“It is important because the blood of a democracy lies in civil society organisations,” Advocate Tlakula said.

She said throughout all her discussions various issues have been agreed upon and these include having a training workshop to discuss what access to information entails, a training for journalists on topics like parliamentary reporting, reporting on election and court cases among others.

Also present during her meeting with Dr Herminie was the chairperson of the Seychelles Media Commission, Ibrahim Afif. They discussed the importance of establishing access to information laws which would help to enhance transparency and good governance.

Advocate Tlakula also met the National Assembly’s Scrutiny of Bills Committee.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244270

[Grandlarousse]

La liberté d’expression, et si on en parlait ?

La liberté d’expression, et si on en parlait ?

21-January-2015
En réponse aux attentats qu’il y a récemment eu en France, notamment contre le journal satirique Charlie Hebdo, l’Alliance Française souhaite ouvrir un espace de dialogue autour de la liberté d’expression.

Ce sera donc ce jeudi 22 janvier 2015, à l’Alliance Française des Seychelles que sera organisé un débat public à partir de 16h00.

Selon un communique de l’Alliance Française, la liberté d’expression est une valeur fondatrice de la France, c’est une de ses vertus les plus chères, inscrite dans la Déclaration des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen de 1789.

Mais la liberté n’est jamais acquise, et ces attentats en sont la preuve. Ces terroristes ont essayé de museler la presse, ils ont tué au nom de l’interdiction de s’exprimer autour des sujets sensibles.

L’Alliance Française souhaite alors ouvrir le débat, demander aux universitaires, artistes, journalistes, religieux, institutionnels, fonctionnaires, politiques mais aussi aux civils, de s’exprimer sur ce sujet.

Cet espace de dialogue est ouvert à tous, pour que chacun puisse s’exprimer, dans le respect de l’autre et de la liberté d’expression.

Elle espère trouver un écho dans la société civile seychelloise pour que cet espace de dialogue soit une ouverture sur une plus grande compréhension des enjeux de la liberté d’expression dans le monde.

Ce débat public qui aura lieu à l’Alliance Française des Seychelles, le jeudi 22 janvier 2015 à 16h00 est gratuit et ouvert à tous.
L’Alliance Française invite le public à venir assister au débat ou à intervenir dans celui-ci.
A-t-on le droit de tout dire ? À tout le monde ?

Source Seychelles Nation

[Grandlarousse]

Oil spill incident along part of Mahé’s east coast

23-January-2015
The Ministry of Environment and Energy has started an investigation into an oil spill incident in the sea in the vicinity of the coast guard headquarters at Ile Perseverance .

The ministry was alerted of a significant amount of oil seen floating in the sea on Monday this week.
Officers from the ministry were deployed to the scene to assess the situation.

Monitoring of the oil movement was conducted throughout the day, after which investigative work began on the source of the oil spill.

Consequently various reports were recorded throughout Monday and Tuesday of oil seen floating in the sea around the Angel Fish Marina at Eden Island and Les Mamelles lagoon and even oil being disposed of within the PUC sewage pump station at Roche Caiman (Kosovo). Contractors have been deployed and are cleaning up oil that has been deposited on the shoreline in the Roche Caiman area.

Yesterday the officers continued to monitor the situation and are yet to identify the source of the oil.

The ministry is calling on members of the public who has any information on the possible source of the oil spill to call the Greenline (2722111) and assist in the ongoing investigation.

It is to be noted that it is an offence under Section 7 (5) of the Environment Protection Act 1994 to discharge any effluent or throw, deposit, or place any polluting or hazardous substance or waste or any obstructing matter into any watercourse or in the territorial waters of Seychelles.
Accompanying the article are some photos taken of the oil spill.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244286

[Grandlarousse]

Unacceptable animal cruelty in Seychelles

05-March-2015
All countries of the world have problems with stray animals mainly dogs but they have a process and a structure in place to cope with the problems. In Seychelles we have allowed the problems of stray dogs to get out of hand as one government department passes the buck to another or one agency to another.

When the private sector tries to get involved they are frustrated and banded from pillar to post with no solution in sight. Consequently we have stray dogs roaming the streets of Victoria, our capital city.

Tourists see our leading politicians stand up on the world stage with pride and confidence, and so they should, representing our small island state, which is advanced in a number of aspects, but when they come to Seychelles on holiday they find stray dogs scrounging food in our main city, this is not acceptable.

When tourists catch a bus opposite the airport to go to Victoria they are welcomed by stray dogs and wild chickens cackling ‘Welcome to Paradise’ to them and then they find chicken poo on their luggage, this is also unacceptable.

I once mentioned to a former minister that we have chickens roosting at the bus stop opposite our international airport and he said “catch them and eat them”. This is a sad mentality. It seems my neighbours have taken the advice of our former minister because now there is only one old cockerel cackling alone at tourists at the bus stop opposite our international airport. Not bad considering we are labelled as a middle income country. Someone must possess a warped sense of humour.

Animal lovers are asking what has happened to our once vibrant SSPCA. People say some time ago they donated money to SSPCA to improve their services but their services have got worse. Animal owners, me included, have complained about the poor state of services rendered by SSPCA and the Veterinary Services.

I got involved because twice I took my dog for treatment and my dog picked up ticks which thrive on the floor of the waiting area at Union Vale. We had to go back to Victoria to buy tick powder. Apart from pet owners having to wait in the intense heat outside, the young veterinary doctors who have spent many years earning their qualifications work in the most unacceptable conditions. The site at Union Vale is in dilapidation. It is not fair on the young doctors, who do their very best to deliver good treatments to our animals under appalling conditions. We are taking advantage of their love for animals and giving them a bad deal which is not fair to them. The staff at Union Vale deliver the best service they can under the circumstances but the circumstances have been left to deteriorate by those responsible to provide the necessary resources. People complain among themselves instead of to the right authority then they wonder why nothing gets done. Some say they fear to complain because they will be victimised or even lose their job. Can you believe this in this day and age?

Sometimes the young doctors do not have sufficient medicines to administer to the animals so they have to beg and borrow from the private vets. How can we expect our young generation to deliver their best if we do not provide them with the right tools and facilities? It is no wonder our best brains go to work overseas.

I am tired of hearing the excuses given that we lack resources. We have the resources; we lack the willpower and the motivation to make things happen.

Things do not get done because everyone is busy “passing the buck” and the buck does not stop anywhere. We lack qualities called ownership and responsibilities. Some people want to carry the title but they don’t want to carry the responsibilities, they are full of ideas which they expect others to deliver while they take the credit. Some of them get angry when they are faced with the truth.

Our tourism industry will be adversely affected if we do not treat our animals humanely. Some tourists have already indicated they will not come back to Seychelles until we resolve the mistreatment of our animals. (Tourism) Minister Alain St Ange is aware of this situation.

It is time to re-introduce dog licence to make sure owners are registered and they take responsibility for their dogs. A fine and/or imprisonment must be put on Statute for those people who mistreat animals because every plant, every animal, every human has a right to live on this Planet Earth without fear of persecution and mistreatment. SBC and the Ministry of Education have failed to educate the population at large on how to treat animals. There is insufficient education in animal welfare, which is the basis of our current problems. We have witnessed many instances where helpless puppies are left by the bins to die and dogs are tied up all day and night and the chain round their neck cuts through their flesh while flies live off the raw bleeding flesh. This is the result of lack of education. How would you like it if an animal did this to you?

Many people report they have witnessed inhumane killing of our stray dogs. They claim someone in government has engaged the services of a private pest control company to lay poison for the stray dogs in Providence, Montagne Posée and elsewhere. There are also reports that stray animals taken to SSPCA are killed if no one comes forward to adopt them after three days. Their bodies are then taken to Star Seychelles in Providence to be buried or burnt; it seems no one knows for sure how our dead animals are dealt with once they leave our cruel world.

Animal lovers report seeing stray dogs bearing the sign of deliberate acts of torture and left to die inhumanely by the roadside and this is happening in Paradise. I have seen stray dogs in Providence bearing the scars of hot water or hot oil poured on their skin in attempts to get rid of them. Tourists come to Seychelles looking for peace and tranquillity and they are faced with stray dogs on the beach. This is completely unacceptable and it is not because we cannot do anything about it, we have the resources but we are spending our resources on other things which for many of us are of less importance. If we can raise millions of rupees to stage the Indian Ocean Games we can raise money to take care of our animals. We have access to resources if we really want to address the problems.

We now have private enterprises like Pet Haven, Seychelles Animal Welfare (SAW) and we have two private veterinary doctors operating as ‘Mobile Clinics’ and our young people are becoming animal lovers therefore there is now more resources to get things done. Good animal welfare is part of our modern society. In developed countries cruelty to animals is a serious crime but in Seychelles we still turn a blind eye to mistreatment of animals. It is shameful.

It seems to me that a new management team is required in SSPCA; as far as it is known SSPCA is supposed to be a self-funding NGO and there are many activities SSPCA can indulge in to created funds and deliver a good service, there is really no excuse for the poor state of affairs that prevail currently.

Wallace Cosgrow, the new Minister for Agriculture has indicated that he is an animal lover, which is a great relief and a meeting is being arranged for the problems to be resolved. What we need now is for all interested parties and stakeholders to stop making excuses and we proceed with providing the facilities we need to take care of our animals.

MLUH must move to subdivide the land allocated for animal welfare in Providence between SSPCA and Pet Haven. This is long overdue. This land belongs to the people of Seychelles and animal welfare is a very important element in the lives of the people in the new Seychelles.

AG’s office and the Judiciary must move to make it a crime punishable by fines and/or imprisonment for people who mistreat animals. I happen to believe that some animals behave better than some humans...

Contributed by: Barry Laine FCIM, FInst SMM, MCMI, MBSCH
Email: barrylaine@hpcgroup.sc - www.academyofhighperformance.sc

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=244697

[Grandlarousse]

Media matters discussed in national consultative forum

10-April-2015
Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s effectiveness in delivering on its mandate as the independent state broadcaster was debated again during the second meeting of the National Consultative Forum for the year 2015.

The meeting took place yesterday at State House under the chairmanship of President James Michel.
Senior staff of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) were in attendance for part of the meeting.

The President urged SBC to become more innovative by providing the range and quality of modern broadcasting and information services that the Seychellois audience expects.

It should consider ways in which it could supplement its core functions by providing additional commercial products and expert services that could help generate revenue for the growth and development of the SBC.

Seychelles National Youth Council deputy chief executive Alvin Laurence shared with the forum the findings of a media survey covering young persons in the 11-20 years old age range.

The survey suggested that young persons were increasingly accessing online information and social media services from mobile phones, laptops and computers. Members advised that SBC's online presence should reflect these trends.

Members also adopted, with minor amendments, the texts of a set of common prayers for school assemblies, proposed by Sifco, the Seychelles Interfaith Committee.

The President again thanked members of the forum for their suggestions, comments and criticisms which were already making a significant impact on fostering national unity.

Many of the suggestions of members had already been adopted by government, and although this usually happened without great fanfare or credit to the forum, its members could be justly proud of the contribution they had made.

For example, the idea for the 2015 national theme – I Love Seychelles – had originated in the forum itself.
The next meeting of the forum is expected to be held in May.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245053

[Grandlarousse]

Seychelles commended for its political will in promoting and protecting human rights

11-April-2015
The Seychelles government has been commended for its political will and its efforts in promoting and protecting the human rights Mr Yeung Sik Yuen speaking during the press conference yesterdayof the people of Seychelles, but it should strengthen its commitment, programmes, plans and policies to promote and protect these rights.

The commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, said this during a press conference yesterday afternoon at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport at the end of his team’s promotion mission from April 6-10 on the invitation of the Seychelles government.

“You (Seychelles) are doing very well in terms of human rights,” said Mr Yeung Sik Yuen who noted earlier this week that no country can score a 100% on human rights.

Mr Yeung Sik Yuen said the Seychelles government has shown its political will and efforts in promoting and protecting the human rights of the people of Seychelles by adopting several legislative and institutional measures and establishing bodies to implement relevant policies, plans and programmes with a positive impact on the rights guaranteed by the African Charter and other regional and international human rights instruments.

“The delegation notes with satisfaction the programmes, activities and strategies put in place for the realisation of human rights, such as the establishment of the Human Rights bodies; the low percentage of joblessness; efforts to align prisons conditions with international standards, the significant measures taken in the health sector, in particular the provision of free health care, the reduction of the child and maternal morbidity as well as the outstanding management of the HIV/Aids pandemic; the significant reduction of backlog of cases before courts; the noticeable representation of women in decision-making bodies; the existence of other various social schemes aimed at protecting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities; the protection of environment through the use of renewable energy, protection of the biodiversity, recycling of domestic waste, banning of certain types of plastic bags,” said Mr Yeung Sik Yuen.

A former chief justice in Mauritius, Mr Yeung Sik Yuen, who has for the last seven years been the commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, also commended the dynamism and commitment of Seychelles civil society organisations which contribute to the national promotion and protection of human rights despite the challenges faced in mobilising financial, material and technical resources for the success and sustainability of their programmes.

The delegation has also urged the country to address the inconsistencies in its legal framework that limit the enjoyment of certain human rights guaranteed under the African Charter.
“There is need to reconcile the compulsory ten years mandatory schooling and the legal age of employability; repeal the mandatory sentencing in order to avoid any apparent or real hindrance to the sacrosanct principle of the separation of powers in a democratic system; criminalise expressly torture in its national laws and establish a national preventive mechanism in compliance with international standards, etc,” explained Mr Yeung Sik Yuen.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245070

[Grandlarousse]

Les Seychelles participent aux travaux de commission de l'APF

21-April-2015


À l’invitation du président de l’Assemblée nationale de Madagascar, le vice-président du Parlement seychellois, M. André Pool, a participé aux travaux de la Commission des affaires parlementaires de l’Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF).
Les travaux se sont déroulés à Antananarivo, Madagascar du 15 au 17 avril 2015, sous la présidence de l’honorable Robert Aubin, député canadien.
La Commission a considéré divers rapports portant sur les moyens parlementaires d’interpellation gouvernementale dans l’espace francophone, parlement, presse, médias et démocratisation, la participation des jeunes à la politique dans l’espace francophone, les institutions nationales des droits de l’Homme (INDH) dans l’espace francophone ainsi que les rapports sur le suivi des actions de coopération parlementaire au bénéfice de plusieurs pays membres de la francophonie. De plus, les parlementaires se sont penchés sur la question des enfants sans identité.
Lors de son passage à Madagascar, M. Pool a rencontré M. Pascal Terrasse, le Secrétaire Général de l'APF. Au cours de leurs échanges, M. Pool a adressé ses sincères remerciements à l'institution pour son appui indispensable à l'Assemblée nationale des Seychelles.
M. Pool s'est également entretenu avec M. Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, président de l'Assemblée nationale malgache. Les discussions ont tourné essentiellement autour des possibilités d'échange et la coopération interparlementaire.
M. Pool était accompagné de Mme. Haajira Jumaye, la chargée des relations publiques au sein de l'Assemblée nationale des Seychelles.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245162

[Grandlarousse]

Developing a culture of research and innovation

25-April-2015


Lecturers involved in doing research and researchers from various institutions and agencies in the country have learned about the importance of developing a culture of research and innovation.

They have also learned of the importance of building the capacity of researchers so as to have a network of researchers among countries and how to access international funding for research among other related issues.

This was during a two-day workshop organised by the University of Seychelles in collaboration with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (Sarima) and the Institute for Science and Technology Development of the Southern African Development Community (Sad) at the Guy Morel Institute at Majoie.

Sarima is a stakeholder organisation that provides a platform to promote and encourage best practices in research and innovation management in southern Africa. Its main purpose is to strengthen research and innovation systems to ensure social and economic development of the southern African region.

Those taking part in the workshop discussed and learned more on innovation and research in Seychelles, in the region and globally, the challenges of research management as well as current trend in the research environment, development of research policies and strategies.

Professor Jesika Singh, director of research at the University of Limpopo, South Africa, Dr Jose Jackson-Malete, director of research and partnerships at the Botswana institute of Technology Research and Innovation, Dr Jemma Simeon from the University of Seychelles, Anneline Morgan head of science and technology development at the Sadc and Xavier Estico, the chief executive of the National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation (Nisti) made presentations and led discussions during the training sessions.

Professor Dennis Hardy, vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles launched the training sessions.

Addressing everyone present, professor Hardy said the training is an important step forward as we need to have skills if we want to move forward in research.
“Research is very important and being a very small country we need to know how to work more effectively as a team and to develop foreign research partnerships,” said professor Hardy.

He noted that Seychelles has been absent in regional research programmes and initiatives and hopes the training will give a boost to research here.
In her presentation Ms Morgan said the importance of building research and innovation management capacity in Sadc countries was recognised during a Sadc ministers’ meeting in Windhoek in 2011.

“Member countries were lagging behind in terms of research output,” she pointed out, noting that this was found to be due to lack of research infrastructures and funding, lack of networking and collaboration among stakeholders.

She said from then on a project to build the capacity and skills of researchers, research managers, and encourage research collaboration among Sadc countries was developed.

A sum of US $340,000 has been earmarked for the project to be carried out over a three-year period.
When she talked about Sarima, Dr Jackson-Malete pointed out that it offers a lot of opportunities for researchers whom she said need to be engaging more with research institutions in the Sadc region.

She highlighted some important initiatives of Sarima and the numerous benefits researchers could gain from being a member of the association.

Patrick Nicette from the Seychelles Bureau of Standards and Mr Estico gave an overview of research in the university and other institutions and agencies here, how research is funded, research and innovation management structures, functions among other related issues.

The last session of the workshop provided feedback on the training needs survey that will be completed online. The priority needs for research and innovation training and capacity building for Seychelles was also analysed.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245209

[Grandlarousse]

Investigation into apparent leak of information at finance ministry

06-May-2015
An investigation is underway into an apparent leak of classified information involving different policies the Ministry of Finance, TradeFinance principal secretary Payet and the Blue Economy has been working on since January.

Finance principal secretary Patrick Payet confirmed the investigation yesterday after a local newspaper printed in its yesterday issue a story containing two of the six policies the ministry has been working on.

“There is reason to believe that a document that was subject to non-disclosure was released. Leaking information contained in the document may have an adverse effect on the government and the implementation of its future programmes. As instructed by President James Michel since January this year, the ministry has been working on six policies and a position paper was shared with the International Monetary Fund, one of our international partners, at the end of the month of April. And it’s a coincidence that two of the policies have come out in a newspaper article with an opposition leader early in May. I doubt that our external partners have published any of the information as they do not appear in any report,” said PS Payet.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=245305