Third phase of government restructuring

Third phase of government restructuring - 15.01.2013 President announces changes, new appointments President James Michel Monday announced a number of changes and new appointments in the government and in public sector agencies, which form part of the third phase of restructuring of government which started in March 2012. This is in line with the President’s emphasis on enhancing service delivery, on government remaining connected to the people, and giving more responsibility to young professionals. “We are improving the government structure to remain relevant in an environment of changing public demands, modernised services as well as giving opportunities for innovation in order to become more efficient and effective in providing public services,” said President Michel following the appointments. The Office of the President has been restructured. The President retains direct portfolio responsibility of Defence, Legal Affairs, Information, Youth and Hydrocarbons. In addition to the portfolios of Information Communication Technology and Public Administration which are already assigned to the Vice-President in the Office of the President, the portfolio responsibility for Youth has been assigned to the Vice-President. An Executive Office of the President has been created. It will be headed by Lise Bastienne, who has been appointed Secretary General of the Office of the President. In her new capacity, the former Principal Secretary for Presidential Affairs assumes responsibility for the executive functions of the Office of the President, including the management of the departments of this office, as well as liaison with other ministries, departments and agencies. Mohammed Afif remains Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office, and is directly responsible to the President. Ambassador Callixte d’Offay, until recently the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, has been appointed the Conseiller Diplomatique à la Présidence. Ambassador d’Offay will continue to serve as the Non-Resident Ambassador to Mauritius, Comores and Madagascar. Srdjana Janosevic, who is Chief Press Secretary, will also assume responsibility for the Department of Information, under the Office of the Secretary General. Lekha Nair remains Principal Secretary for President’s Office Administration, under the Office of the Secretary General. Jessie Esparon has been promoted to the new post of Chief Secretary for the Public Service, a post which combines the role of PS for Public Administration and Secretary of the Public Sector Commission which is responsible for the management of the Senior Public Officials. The functions of the Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment have been strengthened by the addition of the responsibility for Economic Policy and Planning. The ministry will have two principal secretaries. Steve Fanny remains the Principal Secretary for Finance & Trade, and Bertrand Belle has been promoted to the post of Principal Secretary for Economic Policy & Planning. Sherin Renaud has been appointed as the Principal Secretary for Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism & Culture. Mrs Renaud previously held the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Investment Board. Rupert Siméon, who was previously Director General for Policy & Planning in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment, has been appointed to the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Investment Board. Patrick Payet has been appointed as the Comptroller-General in the Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment, a post previously held by Sitna Cesar. Miss Cesar will serve as Consultant to the Minister for the setting up of a new Commission for Public Enterprise Monitoring. Damien Thesée has been promoted to the post of Deputy-Comptroller-General. Yves Choppy has been confirmed as the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Land Use & Housing. Ronny Palmyre has been confirmed as the new CEO for the Housing Finance Company, and Timothé Sinon as the CEO of the Property Management Company. Marcus Siméon has been appointed to the post of Deputy CEO in the Agency for Social Protection. The new appointments take effect today, January 15, 2013.

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