First regional councils launched with aim of strengthening Seychelles' local governance system

First regional councils launched with aim of strengthening Seychelles' local governance system


Victoria, Seychelles | July 13, 2018, Friday @ 17:34 in National » GENERAL | By: Sharon Ernesta | Views: 153
First regional councils launched with aim of strengthening Seychelles' local governance system
The Administration Office of Plaisance, a district on the eastern coast of the main Seychelles island of Mahe.  (Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Seven regional councils were launched in Seychelles on Friday with the aim of strengthening local governance, though two civil society groups say they disagree with how the councils have been set up, saying the councils lack accountability and transparency.

The councils, which will cover all 25 administrative districts on the three main islands -- Mahe, Praslin and La Digue -- will consist of seven councillors with one voted as chairperson.

The north, south, east, west regions on Mahe and the Inner Islands, will be represented each by a council while the central region will have two.

The members of the council will be appointed in accordance with an agreed bipartisan agreement between the two main political parties -- Linyon Demokratik Seselwa and Parti Lepep.

Dan Frichot, the special advisor for the Ministry of Local Government, told SNA on Tuesday that the model is the first approach to further strengthen the local government system of Seychelles.

“Both agreed on the establishment of regional bodies based on the current political balance in the National Assembly, following which a regional council's administrative framework was developed,” said Frichot.

The decision for an agreed bipartisan framework for the regional councils was announced in November last year by the office of the president after taking into account the costs of running councils in each of the districts.  

The Local Government Act 2015 provides for the establishment of a District Council in each district in order to enable the citizens to participate in the governance and development of the district, its functions, qualifications of persons who may be elected as Councillors,
http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/9433/First+regional+councils+launched+with+aim+of+strengthening+Seychelles%27+local+governance+system

Seychelles: Regional Councils to Be Established
https://allafrica.com/stories/201710300612.html

Seychelles: Appointment of Regional Councils in Seychelles Criticised As Curtailing Democracy
https://allafrica.com/stories/201807180622.html

‎Daniel Cesar‎ to One Seychelles
3 hrs ·
Regional Council ~ Stifling Democracy
Lalyans Seselwa denounces the move by both Parti Lepep and LDS, the Executive and the Legislative to stifle democracy with the launch of Regional Councils. At the time that this idea was tabled at the LDS Council it was denounced by Patrick George Pillay, the Leader of Lalyans Seselwa. The matter was shelved and like Assumption it has been resuscitated. Lalyans Seselwa Leader will shortly pronounce its objection to the erosion of democracy through cohabitation.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1909945295735446&set=gm.924615614414414&type=3&theater

‎Raoul Rene Payet‎ to One Seychelles
4 mins ·
I would like to know the legality of the Regional council. On which legal basis it was set up. where is the constitutional provision or the bill under which it is stated that the two party in the national assembly can legally negotiate a proportional national system just between the two of them. what a democratic fiasco.Democrasy hijacked

New regional councils set up with bi-partisan framework

14-J
Seven regional councils, each with seven members, were officially established yesterday during a ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles.

The 49 council members were appointed in accordance with an agreed bi-partisan framework and membership of each council reflects the current political balance in the National Assembly, therefore 23 Parti Lepep (PL) councillors and 26 from Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS).

The ceremony was attended by President Danny Faure, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, Speaker of the National Assembly Nicholas Prea, leader of government business in the National Assembly Charles De Commarmond and chairman of LDS Roger Mancienne.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259641


Reactions to establishment of Regional Councils
16-July-2018
Following the official launch on Friday of the regional councils, there have been mixed reactions from several quarters. While the LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) has welcomed the opportunity for the party “to participate directly in district affairs”, both the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) and the Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (Arid) have said that they are “against the process of nomination of councillors for the regional district councils”.

For its part, the Lalyans Seselwa has said it supports the stance taken by Ceps, noting that as it (regional council) will be a civil service job, the requirements and conditions cannot be met through political affiliation.

Seychelles NATION brings you the full reactions from these parties and bodies.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259649

Wavel Ramkalawan is playing too many games
July 21, 2018
https://seychellesrealitytoday.blogspot.com/2018/07/wavel-ramkalawan-is-playing-too-many.html


NEWLY ANNOUNCED SELECTED REGIONAL COUNCILLORS??????

When we look at this, many questions arise and opens a totally new paradigm in the political landscape of Seychelles!

Amongst the many important questions arising is about those employed on a full-time basis!

It is obvious and clear that most, if not all the newly appointed Councillors, already have a full-time job, many of which are working in the public sector! (I stand to be corrected)

My question here is; "At what time will these people meet and carry out the different given responsibilities bestowed on to them?

- In the mean-time when they are to carry out their duties as Councillors, what will happen to their original duties in their workplaces?

- Who will be responsible to cover or take over for them during their absences?

- Will this not have a bearing on the work ethics in their workplace, where others might definitely find themselves being disenfranchised or at a disadvantage?

- What effect will this have on the person's ability to be productive in their work?

This I believe, needs to be addressed and debated extensively!

Your thoughts and contributions!

Regional councils - Councillors apprised of their new roles

21-July-2018
Mr Frichot


Councillors representing the seven regional councils set up a week ago met for a day-long induction session yesterday to be apprised of their new roles, to learn more on the local government strategy, the rules and regulations that will guide the work of the regional councils among other matters.

The session which took place at the STC conference room was also the opportunity for the seven members of each of the council to meet and discuss various issues with members of the management team of the local government department as well as interact with the different district administrators in their respective regional council.  
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259722

Setting up of Regional Councils
21-July-2018
Empowering citizens and communities
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259715

Local Government Act, 2015 | Seychelles Legal Information Institute
https://seylii.org/sc/legislation/act/2015/7
An Act to provide for the establishment of a District Council in each district in order ... its functions, qualifications of persons who may be elected as Councillors, th.
https://seylii.org/sc/legislation/act/2015/7

Comment - Please refer to the forum thread then and Sechelles Seychelles Senate forum/new feed, then government and President J A Michel

History of Local Government

Local Government was established in 1994 as a Division of the Ministry of Local Government Youth and Sport. It became a Department headed by a Principal Secretary in February 2003.

Establishment of Local Government was aimed at decentralising the delivery of services through the localisation of activities within districts so as to encourage active community involvement.

Seychelles had its first taste of Local Government in the early 1950s when the colonial powers created the Victoria District Council. This council was responsible for the provision of utilities and the rendering services in sewerage as well as collection of property and land taxes within the town of Victoria.

In December 1991, the Government enacted the Local Government Act under which the District Councils were elected. Each Council had a Chairman and five other councillors. The Chairman had the dual roles of a legislator in the National Assembly and the executive in the District.

The Constitution of the Third Republic repealed this Act and stated that the Government of the day had the right to decide how best to manage the Districts.

Cognisant of the growing requirements placed on local governance, the need to improve on quality, efficiency and accountability, the Government set up new system of Public Appointments in the office of the District Administrator (DA). The DAs are responsible to the Minister for Local Government and meet with the Minister once a month to discuss on matters of policy and to keep the Minister abreast of new developments within their jurisdictions.

The Local Government Department has since 1999 been at the forefront to respond to the needs and aspirations of the community by developing various community life based programmes.

Between 1999 and 2000, the Local Government Department introduced Community Life Programmes and in 2001, local structures were established for effective consultation.
http://www.localgovernment.gov.sc/about_us.htm

It seem there is a  great deal of confusion in Seychelles about the Regional Councils, those nominated to work the first Councils, this situation come about given, on account of the distortions and terrible media benchmark meaning they spin , the political spin and political propaganda and they write this as real in the end. With such materiel make/take national decision .

Given that the two main party are involved LDS and SPPF/PL, specially the PL  and those former PL who become LDS, the origin of this process goes back to the debacle of changing the OAU to African Union, beside the Power issues between then EU and OAU - the involvement of President Qaddafi and those selected to drive the change from OAU to AU. The structures of European Union democratic system including national Regional workings, the various terminology( To note 1991 President FA Rene decision to put into place the District concepts, that SIROP program, return of Multi party ) Since the creation of  African Union the process in and across Africa to create and empower its people and citizens. Today Seychelles membership of the African Union and other Organs of Africa.

The important emphasis to drive/bring then LUNGOS to modern European standard/benchmark of NGO and Civil society workings, process until President J A Michel announce in August 2015 the setting up of the Regional councils.

A very important aspect of this process /progress one must go back to other political situation in Seychelles 2013/2014/2015, the pressures of the European Union, African Union and the USA, Mauritius  on Seychelles president JA Michel government and Party on account of that SIROP program. In Seychelles itself those like Mr Christopher Gill and his Party and others, media,  New DP, the Church concern.

A very important aspect of the process is the decision of then Lady Natalie Michel to let known her displeasure at President J A Michel handling of my person and the SIROP program worth some $4.5 billion, the terrible abuse and what have mean while come out of the National Assembly. The historic topic of that SIROP program and President J A Michel Family. Yet how his government was presenting the many topics, the massive manipulations, distortions. Those who write Seychelles history have refused to address this important aspect of our Nation passage. Meanwhile the Truth Commission and the Anti Corruption Commission.

We/the need for everybody to go back to the 2/3 years before this decision was taken by President J A Michel government. For those who currently wish to just put together a form of structure of the Regional council they/it will encounter major challenges. Like every building block and structure, the Foundation is very important against cyclone, earthquake and other major disasters. We say for those who have been appointed,  jut to put through their political ideology without referring and taking due important note of the past process would be walking into problem, then run to the UN, the EU and African Union for help and financial resources.

Then there had be the issue of finance then  and then global economy and regional economy and the functioning of that SIROP program, the President J A Michel in the process of revamping, rebuilding that SIROP program the money/finance that would come about and partly help finance the new Regional Councils, the government own Development and Investments Plan forecast/projections   - what have ensued and those in Europe, the BRICS, the USA,  African Union   and Gulf Nations. Of course the Britexit mega debacle. President J A Michel had just began to promote his Blue Economy concept. Without that SIROP program there would not be a Blue Economy and that Program at the time of President J A Michel being in office was worth around $4.5 billion. The debate and challenges of those from a Regional Council management of the economy and impute in the various sectors,  meaning a new dynamic at local level to work the economy and other issues of that SIROP program, . Meanwhile the EU have biffed up its working in the Indian ocean Region. Their capacity and Resources. To also note the mega invasion of Europe by the refugees had not taken place.

http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/2811/+new+parties+enter+Seychelles+political+landscape++former+minister+is+leader+of+new+opposition+group

http://freeseychellesnow.blogspot.com/2015/06/pat-pillay-fever-takes-seychelles.html

Welcome to the Portal of the Local Authorities of the Republic of Mauritius

-https://la.govmu.org/

Daniel Cesar‎One Seychelles
Follow · 17 mins ·

Regional Council & SIFCO
Patrick George Pillay through an Open Letter as a private citizen calls on Seychelles Interfaith Council (SIFCO) to state its position vis a vis Regional Council. Rightly so as SIFCO is always part of the National celebrations so it should pronounce on this morally wrong National issue.
Source: Today Newspaper (Photo)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1928650367198272&set=gm.938924236316885&type=3&theater

Open Letter to the chairperson and board of the Seychelles Interfaith Council (Sifco)

24-July-2018
What are Sifco’s views on the political bi-partisan arrangement behind regional councils set-up?
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259743

Municipalities of South Africa - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_South_Africa
Local government in South Africa consists of municipalities of various types. The largest ... The Johannesburg region is actually covered by three municipalities: the ... The South African Geographical Names Council is a statutory body that ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_South_Africa

regional services councils in south africa - Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-9299.1993.tb00983.x
by R CAMERON - ‎1993 - ‎Cited by 12 - ‎Related articles
This article traces the evolution of local government structures in South Africa, known as. Regional Service Councils (RSCs), which were created in 1985.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-9299.1993.tb00983.x

Christmas has come early for LDS/PL Regional Councilors

https://seychellesrealitytoday.blogspot.com/2018/07/christmas-has-come-early-for-ldspl.html

Nomination of Regional Councillors by political parties ‘Process not fair and democratic,’ says Electoral Commission

28-July-2018
The Electoral Commission (EC) has said that it does not consider the process of nomination of Regional Councillors by two political parties to be a fair democratic process.

The EC was reacting to the recent establishment of the Regional Councils, whereby only two political parties have nominated candidates for the post of councillors.

In a communiqué stating its position on the matter, the EC writes:

“The Electoral Commission has the mandate to ensure that the political landscape in Seychelles operates freely and fairly, and enables the full participation of all citizens in politics and elections. Included in this mandate is the role of the Electoral Commission as the Registrar of Political parties, and the oversight role it has in their activities.

“The recent establishment of the Regional Councils has been done in a process whereby only two political parties, namely Parti Lepep and Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, have nominated candidates.

“While the Regional Councils are said to be non-political, the fact that all its members have been nominated by political parties, indicates the contrary.

“The Electoral Commission recognises the effort to have more public participation in district matters through representation on the Regional Councils. However, the Electoral Commission considers that in view of citizens’ right to participate in government (Article 24 of the Constitution) the process of nomination of Regional Councillors by only two political parties disenfranchises citizens who may not support any of these two parties or any party for that matter.

“There is no existing legal provision that permits the Electoral Commission to exercise any action in this matter. As such the Electoral Commission wishes to state that it does not consider the process of nomination of Regional Councillors by two political parties to be a fair democratic process.”
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259801

Sifco’s reaction to nomination of councillors on Regional Councils

01-August-2018
‘Every citizen has the right to participate in local or regional government’

“In reference to the Regional Councils Administrative Framework of 2018 and the Local Government Act 7 of 2015, and in order to promote national unity and peace, the Seychelles Interfaith Council urges the three arms of government namely the legislature, judiciary and executive, to consider the right of every citizen to participate in local or regional government.”

This comes in the wake of the setting up of the Regional Councils whereby it was announced that the councillors on the council have been nominated by the two main political parties in the country – Parti Lepep and the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS)

Sifco is composed of members from the following churches and religious groupings: Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Orthodox Church, Seychelles Evangelical Alliance, Baha’i Faith, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrian Faith, Brahmakumaris.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=259838

Le Seychellois
5 hrs ·
This week all newly appointed Regional Councils met for their initial meetings with the election of the Chairperson being the main item on the agenda.

Of the seven Regional Councils the following individuals have been elected Chairpersons: Bryan Julie (North), Beryl Valentin (Central 1), Michel Roucou (Central 2), Marie-Claude Morel (East), Godra Hermitte (West), Aaron Bonnelame (South) and Alvin Grandcourt (Inner Islands).

The Councilors also agreed on the meeting day which is on Saturdays for most Regional Councils as it is outside their official working hours.

A number of committees are expected to be appointed with the Councilors as Chairpersons.

These committees will cover various thematic areas such as environment, sports, youth and culture among others.

Residents from the districts regrouping the Regional Councils are expected to be appointed on these committees.

A series of public meetings are also expected to be organized in all 25 districts around the country to sensitise the public about the work and function of this new local governance structure.

Budget debate the National  Assembly to approve 2019 Budget for the Regional Council  21/11/18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwjpsYg2ha4

Regional Councils Officially Launched
Sat, 14 July 2018

268K  253K  2936
The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, was the guest of honour at the launching ceremony of the Regional Councils, held at the ICCS, yesterday afternoon.
http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news.php?news_id=4035

Setting up of Regional Councils | Local Government Seychelles
www.localgovernment.gov.sc/events/setting-regional-councils
21 Jul 2018 - A key structure in the reform programme is the creation of Regional Councils, which is a bi-partisan consensus between the two main political ...

http://www.localgovernment.gov.sc/events/setting-regional-councils

Local Government launches new website

04-March-2019
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=262532

West region councillors, leaders visit Baie Lazare and Anse Boileau districts

08-April-2019
Members of the west region council organised a series of visits on Saturday in the Baie Lazare and Anse Boileau districts.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=263013

Konsey distrik rezyon was i vizit Port Glaud ek Grand Anse | 08 July 2019

Problenm drenaz ti size pli pertinan ki ti ganny fer resorti pandan vizit ki manm konsey rezyon was ti fer dan distrik Port Glaud ek Grand Anse Mahé Sanmdi bomaten.
http://www.nation.sc/articles/660/konsey-distrik-rezyon-was-i-vizit-port-glaud-ek-grand-anse

Ministry of Local Government
1 hr ·
In an effort to increase community participation in community leissure activities, last Saturday the Pointe La Rue District Administration Office and partners organised a night football and domino tournament from 5 pm to 10pm. A large group of men turned turned up and "Johny ' Team" retuned home as winners.
https://www.facebook.com/ministryforlocalgovernment/photos/pcb.453125121934691/453125008601369/?type=3&theater

‎Ralph Volcere‎ to Aktyalite Sesel
38 mins ·
The Regional Council mandate ends today the 12th July 2019... what's next???

Mandate of regional councils in Seychelles extended one month as evaluation of concept continues, official says
Victoria, Seychelles | July 25, 2019, Thursday @ 10:03 in National | By: Sharon Ernesta | Views: 1503
Mandate of regional councils in Seychelles extended one month as evaluation of concept continues, official says
The seven regional councils were launched in July last year as a pilot project for a period of one year. (Thomas Meriton)


The mandate of regional councils in Seychelles has been extended until the end of August due to the ongoing end of term evaluation exercise being undertaken by the ministry, the Designated Minister has said.
http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/11371/Mandate+of+regional+councils+in+Seychelles+extended+one+month+as+evaluation+of+concept+continues%2C+official+says