President Ramkalawan chairs first formal cabinet meeting

Première visite d’État du Président Wavel Ramkalawan à Maurice | 01 December 2020
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7043/premire-visite-dtat-du-prsident-wavel-ramkalawan--maurice

Première visite d’État du Président Wavel Ramkalawan à Maurice ‒ Diner d’Etat à l’hôtel Sugar Beach | 01 December 2020
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7042/premire-visite-dtat-du-prsident-wavel-ramkalawan--maurice--diner-detat--lhtel-sugar-beach

Fin de la visite d’Etat du Président Wavel Ramkalawan à Maurice | 02 December 2020
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7059/fin-de-la-visite-detat-du-prsident-wavel-ramkalawan--maurice

Visite d’Etat du Président Wavel Ramkalawan à Maurice ‒ Conférence de presse | 02 December 2020
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7057/visite-detat-du-prsident-wavel-ramkalawan--maurice--confrence-de-presse

President Ramkalawan meets retired honorary consul general of Seychelles to Mauritius | 03 December 2020
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7074/president-ramkalawan-meets-retired-honorary-consul-general-of-seychelles-to-mauritius

President Ramkalawan to undertaken working visit to the UAE
11 December 2020 | Foreign Affairs

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan will undertake a 5 day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He will be accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, Ambassador Jean Claude Adrienne,
the head of the Seychelles mission based in the United Arab Emirates, and the 3rd Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Pool.

The President will depart on Saturday 12 December and return in the country on Thursday 17 December 2020.

During the absence of the President, the Vice-President, Mr Ahmed Afif, will hold the portfolios falling under the President, and will also discharge any function that the President is required to discharge under the Constitution.
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5033/president-ramkalawan-to-undertaken-working-visit-to-the-uae?fbclid=IwAR2Flncn2OK8nB0DDjgGxcH62jcsxC1JGDomo7EEToA1T8ewm1OwGoE5CGI

Seychelles and UAE to strengthen diplomatic relations
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5036/seychelles-and-uae-to-strengthen-diplomatic-relations?fbclid=IwAR2uYvHMYoMpfsJmK9J5KSlr4Q4lupWZAd2ej7h4tnIrEn697pI-IypIbZM

Abu Dhabi, UAE: President Rakalawan during his working visit in the UAE.
Highlights of today, photo gallery of the President's visit to the Seychelles Mission in UAE, meeting with Seychellois Community living in UAE and Meeting with the President of Amsa Renal Care for Dialysis Treatment.
Read more via State House Press Release on our website: http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/.../seychelles-and-uae-to...
https://www.facebook.com/StateHouseSey/photos/pcb.3639670359434222/3639669609434297/

President Ramkalawan conducts series of visits


President Wavel Ramkalawan returns to the country today following a five-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates where he engaged in key meetings and on Tuesday undertook a series of visits to three key institutions.
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7265/uae-overseas-mission

President Wavel Ramkalawan back after UAE visit | 18 December 2020
‘James Michel ready to testify about missing US $50 million’


Former President James Michel is ready to testify and declare whatever he knows about the missing US $50 million.
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7278/president-wavel-ramkalawan-back-after-uae-visit

President Ramkalawan appoints new Committee for choosing new names for roads
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5045/president-ramkalawan-appoints-new-committee-for-choosing-new-names-for-roads?fbclid=IwAR0G4N5i09uF6XuwGsAmdO27VM_wMsYH4f_StP1KXZp59bmoNBScEWaCuLE

President Ramkalawan meets the three Anglican clergy members who received doctorates
24 December 2020 | Religion
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5051/president-ramkalawan-meets-the-three-anglican-clergy-members-who-received-doctorates?fbclid=IwAR2FYU9_WIOEng-cgv5j9pLzl5EIVtueOuuEsA9Z7WFcpsuLzCnI0AZyQxs

Le Message de Noël décembre 2020 par le Président de la République, Monsieur Wavel Ramkalawan
24 December 2020 | State House
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/messages/5048/le-message-de-noel-decembre-2020-par-le-president-de-la-republique-monsieur-wavel-ramkalawan

Mesaz par Prezidan Larepiblik, Wavel Ramkalawan pour lafet Nwel le 25 Desanm 2020
24 December 2020 | State House
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/messages/5047/mesaz-par-prezidan-larepiblik-wavel-ramkalawan-pour-lafet-nwel-le-25-desanm-2020

Christmas message by President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan
24 December 2020 | State House
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/messages/5046/christmas-message-by-president-of-the-republic-mr-wavel-ramkalawan

President Wankalawan first SONA
Ladres Leta Lanasyon par Prezidan Larepiblik Sesel, Msye Wavel Ramkalawan – Vandredi 22 Zanvye 2021 | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7672/ladres-leta-lanasyon-par-prezidan-larepiblik-sesel-msye-wavel-ramkalawan--vandredi-22-zanvye-2021

DISKOUR LETA LA NASYON 2021  STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2021
https://www.facebook.com/StateHouseSey/photos/pcb.3739317789469478/3739274716140452/

State of the Nation: Seychelles' President sees victory over ...sbc.sc › news › state-of-the-nation-seychelles-president-...
4 days ago — In his first State of the Nation address, Seychelles President Wavel ... Opposition and other members will give their response to the 2021 SONA.
https://sbc.sc/news/state-of-the-nation-seychelles-president-sees-victory-over-covid-19-more-jobs/

8 p.m News 25-01-2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t0ch44ALyk

Response to the state-of-the-nation address by President Wavel Ramkalawan | 26 January 2021
Former President Faure gives details about repository of all files
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7679/response-to-the-state-of-the-nation-address-by-president-wavel-ramkalawan

In the National Assembly Sona responses marred by disagreements, US walk-out | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7680/in-the-national-assembly-sona-responses-marred-by-disagreements-us-walk-out



State-of-the-nation address (Sona) 2021: Assembly leaders give their replies | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7682/state-of-the-nation-address-sona-2021-assembly-leaders-give-their-replies



National Assembly leaders respond to State of Nation address by Seychelles' President
Victoria, Seychelles | January 25, 2021, Monday @ 15:53 in National » GENERAL | By: Salifa Karapetyan and Betymie Bonnelame | Views: 2135
http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14245/National+Assembly+leaders+respond+to+State+of+Nation+address+by+Seychelles%27+President

Sekreter Zeneral Federasyon Bann Linyon Travayer Sesel, Msye Antoine Robinson, i donn son lopinyon lo diskour Leta Lanasyon | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7673/sekreter-zeneral-federasyon-bann-linyon-travayer-sesel-msye-antoine-robinson-i-donn-son-lopinyon-lo-diskour-leta-lanasyon

URS to officially end in February By Christophe Zialor | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7683/urs-to-officially-end-in-february-by-christophe-zialor

‘Welfare system will no longer be a money pit for government’ | 26 January 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7674/welfare-system-will-no-longer-be-a-money-pit-for-government

Sitting - Tuesday , 26th Jan 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YyrjzvA_oo

Decision to scrap the Unemployment Relief Scheme (URS) Reactions from our readers | 27.01.2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7693/decision-to-scrap-the-unemployment-relief-scheme-urs-reactions-from-our-readers

National Assembly: Mixed responses to Sona | 27.01.2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7691/national-assembly-mixed-responses-to-sona

Ralph Volcere The Seychelles Independent Newspaper
2h  ·
Announcements by President Ramkalawan
President Wavel Ramkalawan has just delivered a series of announcements before the media. Over the past 99 days his administration  had time to relook the different agencies and structures in country.
The announcements are part of the first series of reforms which government has already decided upon. The announcements mainly boards CEOs and agencies. Where there are new boards and not name new CEO he or she will continue with his work and board will continue to oversee efficiency and later decide.
Reforms discussed with cabinet and concerned ministries and they proposed those who they recommend for the posts, based on competence efficiency and approach. Also ensured Praslin and La Digue included especially on L’Union board included young Diguois.
Many boards have been eliminated as they are no longer necessary as the ministries themselves can guide the agencies and the ministers will direct those organisations. This will bring about 12.2 million rupees savings in terms of monies paid out to boards. Also invite new board members many expressed desire to contribute and not looking for remuneration also ask that others on boards that as of today they too do the same.
All civil servants on boards will not get board fees if meeting during working hours.
All posts of special advisors will be abolished and those holding these posts and have expertise will be transferred internally in other posts. They will be informed.
IN VP’s Office
Department of information will be abolished!
Designated Minister’s Office
Principal Secretary to Designated Minister will be phased out
MOFTI
Special advisor abolished
Board of Fair Trading Commission will no longer exists and FTC will become a tribunal (working on amendments to the law)
Foreign Affairs and Tourism
STB law repealed STB will be in marketing and promotion dept and directed by DG
Tourism directed by DG. New Tourism Department will be led by PS Marketing and Promotion and other works under him STB to be replaced by an advisory council (five strong)
Internal Affairs
Special advisor immigration and civil status abolished and reduction in number of members on board of trafficking in persons- from 10 to 7 members
Transport
RTC will join with department of transport
MOH
APDAR transferred to health and law will be repealed
Youth Sports and Family
Special advisor to the Minister for Family Affairs and for Youth abolished
Poverty alleviation Department also abolished
NSC Board NSYC board will be abolished both will operate directly under ministry
Disability and Elderly councils will become department in family affairs so boards abolished
NCC board will also be abolished- work under ministry
Youth Enterprise Board also to be abolished (new structure for youth to access grants) Youths will still be able to get those grants but different structure
Investment & Entrepreneurship
SSI IEA and ESA all to be abolished
New CEO IEA- Roy Collie
NIST to be restructure
Local Government and Community Affairs
Abolish all advisors
New PS. Kevin Perrine
There will only be vetting committee
Environment and Agriculture
National Bio security Agency and Agricultural Agency will join under a ministry as Division. Position of Chief boisecurity officer created. Boards phased out
Energy Commission- Board phased out go to ministry
National Parks au and Botanical gardens eliminated and merged under Seychelles parks and garden authority and LWMA will reduce to only 7
Education
Special advisor gone
Employment and Social Services
Board for ASP will be renamed and reduced to 7 members
Children’s Fund abolished but will be  catered for under a line in budget under social affairs which will be administered by a panel
Independent Institutions
ACCS
Will no longer be a commission but a council. The existing members will retire and the money will be reused to employ more people for efficiency. Will also take responsibility to administer declaration of assets of public officers and constitutional appointee therefore two commissions will be phased out
Boards
Seychelles Ports Authority- Gilbert Frichot Chair
SCCA- Marlon Faure- Chair
FSA- Patrick Payet-Chair
Post Office- Norman Webber
Pension Fund- Marc Hoareau CEO Nisreen Abdul Mahjid
STC- Imstial Umardjhi
L’Union Estate- Frank Hoareau
Statistics- Caroline Abel
Two boards waiting for due dilligience from CBS that’s Nouvobanq and DBS when CBS approves will announce.
The President thanked all who have served on boards.
More details in Seychelles Independent Newspaper's next issue


SBC | LIVE Annoucement by the President - 01.02.2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szxd9YE2hJE

Mark Jeyasingh
2h ·
Feedback on the Presidential announcements of 1st Feb 2021.
1. The move to streamline governance and reduce administrative costs is welcome in this crisis, as a general principle.
2. But announcements of a raft of changes and repeals in legislation, before deliberation in the National Assembly is worrying. Have the LDS MNA’s already deliberated outside of the Assembly as an institution? Or is the executive expecting flowerpot rubber stamping by the NA? Either way the public is denied a clear insight into the pros and cons of these legislative changes before they are made.
3. With the number of independent agencies now falling under direct ministerial control, and with boards selected by ministers, does this decrease or increase the politicising of public service agencies?
4. Will the abolition of DICT drive the maintainance of government IT infrastructure into the hands of large private firms? And thereof give them privileged visibility into government datasets and competitive market information?
5. Will the moving of the Fair Trade Commission into a hybrid executive-judiciary governed body, blur the separation of the two independent arms of government. And can the executive unilaterally decide the functions of the judiciary?
These questions are posed in the context of further maturing the healthily developing independent democratic institutions inherited by LDS.
N.B the accompanying video is simply illustrating that the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary should not always see eye to eye .

SBC | LIVE Press conference - United Seychelles - 01.02.2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sx2g3RFc6o

State House Seychelles
1h  ·
President Ramkalawan announced first phase of Government restructuring
Following his State of the Nation Address, the President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan announced the first phase of the Government restructuring, this morning at State House.  The speech which was broadcast live on SBC radio and television as well as Telesesel saw the first round of reforms of Boards, CEOs and Agencies. A second phase of restructuring will be made at a later stage.
“Today is exactly 99 days since the new administration took office. During these times we have had the opportunity to look at the different structure of institutions in the country. This include in the public administration as well as all the different agencies and other organisations. As you will recall, I did mentioned about some changes that will need to take place during my SONA and today’s announcements is a reflection of what the government has already decided  based on  competences, impartiality and efficiency,” said the President.
In regards to different Boards, President Ramkalawan noted that the existing Boards was costing the government 36.2 million of rupees whereby with the elimination of some and restructuring there will be a reduction of 12.2 million rupees. The President further call on all those that will stay on these boards, including Public employees sitting on the budget dependent boards and committees as well as new members, to consider giving their services voluntarily for a year.
The post of special advisors to be abolished and those with expertise will be given new positions.
    1. Vice-President Office;
Close the Department of Information.
    2. Office of the Designated Minister
The post of Principal Secretary in the office of Designated Minister will be phased out.
     3. Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade
The Special Advisor Post within the Ministry will be phased out.
The Fair Trading Commission Board will be phased out. The law will be amended for a tribunal structure through the Judiciary and the discussion is currently ongoing with the AG’s Office.
     4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism
The STB Act 2005 will be repealed.
STB will be brought under the direct purview of the Department as the Marketing/Promotion headed by a DG.
The current Tourism Department will be converted into a Directorate General, retaining the current functions and headed by a DG.
The new Tourism Department be headed by a Principal Secretary.
A five-member Advisory Council to be appointed to advise the Minister on tourism-related matters.
    5. Ministry of Internal Affairs
The Post of Special Advisor for Immigration and Civil Status will be phased out.
There is a Trafficking in Persons Committee; currently there are 10 members. It will be reduced to 7 members.
    6.  Ministry of Transport
The Road Transport Commission will be merged with the Department of Transport.
     7. Ministry of Health
APDAR will be transferred as part of the Health portfolio. The Act establishing the board will be repealed.
     8. Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family
The Posts of Special Advisor to the Minister Family Affairs and Special Advisor for Youth will be phased out.
The Department of Poverty Alleviation will be phased out.
The Board of the National Sports Council (NSC) will be phased out.
The Seychelles National Youth Council (SYNC) board will be phase out.
The National Council for the Disabled and the National Council for the Elderly will be a division within the Department of Family Affairs. Their respective boards will be phased out.
The board of the National Council for Children will be phased out.
The Youth Enterprise Board will be phased out and Government will propose one structure for all of the grants.
     9. Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry
The boards of these entities will be phased out: Seychelles Investment Board, Enterprises Seychelles Agency and Industrial Estates Authority.
National Institute for Science Technology and Innovation (NISTI) will be restructured.
10. Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs
The Post of Special Advisor for the Ministry will be phased out.
Mr. Kevin Perrine – new Principal Secretary for the ministry
Currently Local Government has 15 members on the Internal Assessment Committee and another 4 members on a Vetting Committee. Only the Vetting Committee will remain with 4 members.
   11. Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment
The Post of Special Advisor for the Ministry will be phased out
The Seychelles Agricultural Agency and National Biosecurity Agency will be merged within the Department of Agriculture as two divisions. Therefore, both boards will be phased out
However, to ensure the border control function, the post of Chief Biosecurity officer will be created.
The Seychelles Energy Commission will be transferred as a division within the Department of Climate Change and Energy. The board will be phased out.
The National Botanical Gardens Foundation and Seychelles National Parks Authority will be merged and their respective boards phased out.  The new entity ‘Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority’ with a commercial board will be created;
The LWMA board will be reduced to 7 members
  12. Ministry of Education
The Post of Special Advisor for the Ministry will be phased out.
  13. Ministry of Employment & Social Affairs
The Government will reconstitute the Agency of Social Protection Board
Children’s Fund. Instead of a Fund, a budget allocated to Social Affairs will be supervised by a panel.
  14. Independent Institutions
The ACCS will be converted into a Council with the present commission done away with.
The ACCS will also take on the role of administering the declarations of Public Officers and the declaration of assets by Constitutional appointees and thus the role of the Public Ethics Commission and the Public Persons (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests) Commissioner will be phased out.
The Complaints Office will be phased out as each ministry will handle their own complaints.
15. Boards
Seychelles Ports Authority
Mr. Gilbert Frichot – Chairperson
Mr Nichol Elizabeth - Member
Mr Brian Loveday - Member
Ms Audrey Rose - Member
Captain Philipe Hoareau – Member
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA)
Mr. Marlon Orr - Chairperson
Mrs. Sherin Francis - Member
Mrs Magalie Essack - Member
Ms. Kelly Chetty - Member
Mr. Garry Jupiter - Member
Mr. Yannick Roucou – Member
Financial Services Authority
Mr Patrick Payet - Chairperson
Ms Seylina Verghese
Mr David Esparon
Mr Robert Stravens
Mr Philip Moustache
Ms Samantha Esparon
Ms Cindy Vidot
Ms Wendy Pierre
Mr Richard Rampal
Postal Services Board
Mr Norman Weber - Chairperson
Mr Ayub Adam
Ms Audrina Dine
Ms Judeth Dodin
Ms Tessa Henderson
Seychelles Pension Fund Board
Mr Marc Hoareau - Chairperson
Mr Patrick Payet
Ms Elsie Morel
Ms Brenda Morin
Ms Jovinella Rath
Ms Shannon Jolicoeur
Ms Shella Mohideen
Mr José St Ange
Ms Sarah Lang
Ms Nisreen Abdul Majid - Chief Executive Officer of SPF
Seychelles Trading Company Board
Mr Imtiaz Umarji - Chairperson
Mr Ashik Hassan
Mr Jerry Adam
Mr Jamshed Pardiwalla
Mrs Siana Bistoquet
Ms Astride Tamatave
L’Union Estate Board
Mr Frank Hoareau - Chairperson
Mr Damien Thesee
Ms Nadine Maillet
Mr Vincent Cedras
Mrs Carline Jeannevol
Mr Carl Mills
Mr Melton Ernesta
National Bureau of Statistics
Ms Caroline Abel - Chairperson
Mrs Elizabeth Agathine
Ms Marquise David
Ms Shirley Adrienne
Mr Brian Commettant
Mr Gerard Adonis
Ms Raghavi Naidu
Ms Joelle Perreau
Mrs Jane Houareau
Industrial Estate Authority
Chief Executive Officer - Mr Roy Collie
The Boards of Seychelles International Mercantile Banking Company (Nouvobanq) and Development Bank of Seychelles will also be restructured once the proposed board of directors complete the due diligence process with the Central Bank of Seychelles.

https://www.facebook.com/StateHouseSey/photos/pcb.3766668593401064/3766666740067916/

We are getting buzz feed back that with this overhaul government national change those criminal officials and other who will use this as reason motive to apply that infernal satanic mechanism and kill, snuff  others who did no support them and then what the church , police and other official sources will write and explain, including the Truth Commission or ask the Nation to pray . Do not say we have not publish this on Facebook the whole world can read of the dirty filthy, decrapide  working benchmark of Seychelles.

President of Seychelles announces government restructuring plans after 99 days in office
Victoria, Seychelles | February 1, 2021, Monday @ 19:18 in National » GENERAL | By: Daniel Laurence Edited by: Betymie Bonnelame | Views: 645
http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14280/President+of+Seychelles+announces+government+restructuring+plans+after++days+in+office

United Seychelles' newly elected leader criticises government's new direction
Victoria, Seychelles | February 1, 2021, Monday @ 21:05 in National » POLITICS | By: Salifa Karapetyan Edited by: Betymie Bonnelame | Views: 494
http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14281/United+Seychelles%27+newly+elected+leader+criticises+government%27s+new+direction

Time in UK 23.26 those who have cracked a few botttle of whiskey or wine and oterb dri ks t mark Predident Wanaklawan LDS major national government nation working, those at the looshing end who ill painand siffer mostnof al the two past president Micheland Faure to se their hard labout and work over night decimated by sombeody who know have very littleexperience of natina runnong and governemnt unning and its benchmarkk.

On our side the many statement of our role and imput in Seychelsgoernetnnworiing and its instuitins budilginfornthe pastn30 years nin particular and taht SIROP program mechanismmand leveraging capacitynthosdwhuo appliednand managed it.

Tonight as we confornt and look at the radical cannged in the many governemnt fiuncitning mechajms instiatuoons thee ned to inform annemind everubody involvedin high mangement nworiigninthat Seychelsandthe regindbeyond. withntaht SIROP pgroam forn 1986.7 contributisotnthe changijgprocesnofnUSSR, the CONCPEAPN natin aevents in Europe, Africa, :atin America, Africa, Asia America Canada and the IndianOcean Australia Indianpakistan and north Africa. The very UN and EU woringnthose in Seychelswho hae uit in their inds taht in bringing abot the manj0r changes they have in Seychebecaienof myiunvlenentand taht SIROP progrmthey would be inflicting on my perpanand that progrma majr bow m perspnla harma and and the long list of negative feling . From tjhe first daynof concepting tha tprogram we hput innplace the appropirate mind set and system thi king proces ofthe need to copecometo term of complex changed over the 15/20 yearsnoftaht programnlife span. and the nbed to leran , apply waht one leran to over ome the next major mistakeand hurdle.

We do not need gras, powder or liquor to helpis inthe perspnal efortsto overcone the bariers and chalenged we faced and confornted. Yes we are not as yong ass we used to be . The great advantage of age the experience and knowledge one have amassed and acquired, the wisdom.

That SIROPprogramis very miuch alive and the NEOM component. Just many be we need a fe robbot kintaht State hlue to assist President Wankalawan - carefil we started learing abot mind robots some40 years ago and the evolutionof robotic working and the robots today and hownthey ar ehelopng to build their own fitire replacements. (Wemhave a key pad isues whenwe type fast)

President Ramkalawan’s 100 days in office: | 02 February 2021
Reactions from our readers
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7756/president-ramkalawans-100-days-in-office

Entretien avec le Président Wavel Ramkalawan | 02 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7760/entretien-avec-le-prsident-wavel-ramkalawan

Ceps commends President Ramkalawan’s actions in first 100 days | 02 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7755/ceps-commends-president-ramkalawans-actions-in-first-100-days

100 ZOUR PREZIDAN RAMKALAWAN 02-02-2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0yEVnCbb6X0Ni-ekGheNvgt0slcWHfVbdftw2Zl-kJeY5skI7Kxy9nj44&v=qqqU8EBjSXo&feature=youtu.be

A note from our Chief Editor
The honeymoon is over
It is the moment of reckoning for the new administration. No longer can they say they are looking into the situation. The honeymoon is over and they must now deliver.
Cleaning of the proverbial Augean Stables has commenced. Just like the new minister for Foreign Affairs went on a cleaning spree at that bastion of diplomacy, Maison Quéau de Quincy, as soon as he exited quarantine, so too are the President and the Vice-President, who are finding that they are having to literally scrub and clean the house the People elected them to.
With easy earnings fast disappearing at the stroke of the president’s pen or as he speaks, that other cleaning has started, and as the new broom sweeps, we count the number of boards that multiplied in our tiny nation of 98,000 souls, 108, no less. As the knife pares off the layers and the spotlight is shone on the state of the affairs in each department and budget-dependent institution, incredulity reigns, and indignation, not least by those chairpersons, commissioners, board members and CEOs losing their sinecures.
Whilst saving the country millions of rupees, the legal modalities to clear the institutional sinkholes are still yet unclear, and the Attorney General’s team will no doubt be kept busy for several months on end to devise new solutions where the entities’ constitutions specify there must be a board. It is to be hoped that this will not hold them back from delivering important amendments to other laws, being held because of lack of resources in that office.
The new President’s penchant for going it without a script, in Kreol, despite his acknowledged versatility and fluency in our two other national languages, is causing headaches for nonKreol speakers, be they our new residents, guest workers and our diplomatic cohort who could, previously, be able to count on a printed version in English, and perhaps… French. Whether intended or not, still a boon for those with certain linguistic talents seeking a living, to provide interpretation, transcription and translation services.
To clip its wings or not? That is the question the nation is asking of that other guzzler of funds that threatens the financial stability of our country. Listening to the experts, one wonders if it was to be stabilised, why this has not happened till now. Is the reason pride, rather than a justified belief in its future profitability? Can we afford the risk of yet another bail out and further debt?
Likely, the outcome will be political, and if the decision is to keep Air Seychelles, as we have known and loved it, flying, then we must go into it eyes wide open and prepared to do what it takes to keep pouring the money in.
That other race for numbers is grabbing international attention as well, and with just over half of the initial target of people to be vaccinated having had their first shots, we are grateful to our donors and our health workers for their round-the-clock work to keep us safe. It is also a huge relief that hands stretched out to help are now being grasped in the spirit it is being offered and our elderly will no longer have to brave long queues in heavy downpours or the scorching sun, stumbling over protruding tree roots and uneven ground, pond-size puddles and labouring to climb two steps here, descend three down there, climb up another two to receive that life-saving jab.

by Kate Carolus

SBC | LIVE Presidential press Conference- 04.02.2021[/size
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lwFrtGY13k

[size=24]President Wavel Ramkalawan’s first presidential press conference 2021 | 05 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7799/president-wavel-ramkalawans-first-presidential-press-conference-2021

President Ramkalawan on overseas mission to the UAE | 18 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7925/president-ramkalawan-on-overseas-mission-to-the-uae

President returns from working visit to UAE
22 February 2021 | Foreign Affairs

The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan returned to the country this morning following a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19-22 February 2021.
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5105/president-returns-from-working-visit-to-uae?fbclid=IwAR1AUwdNJMf7Ve-mC17SnVAHkn2Qo54CCRxprrnZlOOfoypib91TwnD5o9I

MA in Education programme scheduled to start beginning March 2021 | 22 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7966/ma-in-education-programme-scheduled-to-start-beginning-march-2021

President returns from working visit to UAE | 23 February 2021
http://www.nation.sc/articles/7976/president-returns-from-working-visit-to-uae