Christmas Message from President James A Michel

Christmas Message from President James A Michel

Wed, 23 December 2015

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, an act of love, peace, and reconciliation.

Christmas 2015 is very special for all of us Seychellois, after a most eventful December. After an intensive election campaign and two rounds of polling,  we have been looking forward to the sense of togetherness, the sense of belonging, Christmas brings every year.  We are happy Christmas is here at last.

We are thankful to God for the spirit of Christmas. It makes us feel stable, comfortable, secure and at peace with ourselves.  It is a time for collective reflection, a time to strengthen our solidarity.

This Christmas marks the beginning of a new Seychellois society, a renewal of life in our communities. We have taken stock of where we are, and what remains to be done. There is always work to do --- the progress of humankind, an emergent, unfolding and never-ending process.

The true significance of Christmas lies in spiritual and moral enlightenment. Jesus was born in difficult conditions and He spread the good news for a transformation in the lives of people.  We always look forward to a new way of life, one of love, healing and great strength. In Christmas we also see the values of family, friendship, kindness and generosity. As we celebrate, we remember that many in Seychelles and other parts of the planet are not able to share the joy that many of us take for granted.

We think of our fellow citizens who are the victims of social ills. They have a special place in the change we seek in our society. We pray for the children in the special homes, the disabled, the sick in the hospitals, the elderly people.

Our thoughts are also with those who have unfortunately lost loved ones and friends during the year. Let us remain prudent in whatever we are doing during this festive season.

My family and I thank all organizations, businesses and individuals that shared love and compassion with the vulnerable among us.  We do it in the true spirit of Christmas.

Special thanks to those who work in the essential services, who safeguard our peace and security, and care for us.

I take this occasion to express my appreciation to everybody in our country for the work done during this year to make our nation happier and more prosperous. We deserve the celebration of Christmas. Let us all do so in peace and in a spirit of sharing and reconciliation.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas!

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President Michel's address to the First Cabinet Meeting after re-election and swearing-in of Ministers, Tuesday 22 December 2015

President Michel's address to the First Cabinet Meeting after re-election and swearing-in of Ministers, Tuesday 22 December 2015

Tue, 22 December 2015

I would like to begin the meeting by expressing my thanks to the people of Seychelles who have placed their trust and confidence in me, and I wish to reiterate the statements I made in my inaugural address on Sunday that I shall ensure that this Government delivers on its promises to its people as contained in our manifesto.

I have heard loud and clear the message of our people, through the recent elections, that they are not satisfied with the level of service delivery from Government and public institutions.  This problem has to be addressed immediately.  I want every Minister to undertake an audit of the processes within his or her Ministry or Department and the agencies falling within their portfolios, and identify the obstacles preventing proper service delivery.  I want Ministers to report to me on the measures being taken to overcome these obstacles.

Ministers should take personal responsibility for monitoring the progress of work in all the institutions within their portfolio.  We know that there are many devoted public servants in our organisations.  Let us ensure that they receive the support, training and resources to discharge their responsibilities.  It is through their efforts that our ultimate goals are achieved, through synergies with civil service and the private sector.

Let us establish systems of working that ensure that all and every single worker contribute in an efficient and effective way to achieve the objectives of our organisations.  Let us monitor these processes, and recognise the contributions of those who excel in service delivery.

At the same time, individuals who fail to perform in their responsibilities should be counselled, and where necessary disciplined, so as to avoid delays and disappointments in our service to the public.  I shall not tolerate mediocrity, laziness, or wastage in Government. I shall also not tolerate the politicisation of the public service.

I made a pledge to our people on certain areas of focus in my first 100 days in office.  These included:

·     Increases in retirement pensions from this December;

·      Interest-free loans for repair of houses of elderly citizens;

·     Making home improvement and housing loans more widely accessible;

·      Raising the ceiling on housing loans;

·      A 13th month salary to be paid from January 2016;

·      A new gratuity scheme for public servants from January 2016;

·     A First Job Scheme for those leaving school from January 2016

·      Compensation and gratuity for former members of the Defence Forces;

·      An ex-gratia payment to servicemen who served in the RFA;

·      Extension of the graduate housing scheme to 5 years and increase in their allowance

·     Extension of the laptop scheme to cover S4 students from 2016;

·      Allowances to all students in post-secondary educational institutions;

·      Free access to medical services for patients recommended by private doctors;

·      Assistance with PV installations for residential properties.

In addition, Government will give top priority to address the problem of illegal drugs, placing emphasis on assistance to victims of drug abuse while dealing firmly with traffickers.

There are certain areas, such as Education and Health where the concerns of the public are especially acute.  The Ministers concerned should take steps to urgently address their problems.

I would like, once again, to remind Ministers of the need to communicate with the public, and sensitise the public to the programmes of work being undertaken on their behalf.  There is a lot of good work being done that people are not told about.  There are also problems for which a proper explanation is not given, leaving room for others to create doubt, suspicion and rumours. Our Ministries have public relations officers, let us make sure they are properly utilised.

In concluding, I want all Ministers to take personal responsibility for service delivery in their respective organisations.  Monitor your organisations well.  Deal with problems that arise.  Stop sending the public from one door to the other.  Don't wait for people to come and see the President or the Vice-President before their problems can be solved.

For my part I pledge to give you all my support, but I shall expect you all to work very hard.  We have 97 days left in which to deliver on our first pledges.  Let us make sure we do not fail in these tasks.  Let make sure that our longer 5-year programme is also implemented in an efficient and timely manner.

Remember that our mandate comes from the people of Seychelles, and they alone will be the judge of our actions.

Bon courage, and let us get down to work!

Thank you.

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Festive spirit at President’s Village following renovations and refurbishment

Festive spirit at President’s Village following renovations and refurbishment

Wed, 23 December 2015

President James Michel attended a special handing over ceremony of the newly renovated and refurbished Children’s Homes at the President’s Village this morning. The  ceremony was attended Vice-President Danny Faure, Designated Minsiter and Minsiter for Community Development, Social Affairs and Sport, Minister Vincent Meriton, Ministers, the Director of the Children’s Homes Foundation, Mr. Jules Hoareau, Representative of Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mr. Salem Al Neyadi, the project manager, Mr. Scott Moseley, dignitaries as well as the children of the President’s Village.

Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak had sponosored the 8 millon dollar renovation and refurbishment projects of the childrens homes including The President’s Village, Foyer de La Solitude,  Foyer de Nazareth and Foyer de La Providence.  The President’s Village and Foyer de la Solitude have been completed and Foyer de Nazareth and Foyer de La Providence are expected to be complete by January 2016. There are also plans for the building of a retirement home for the elderly at the Foyer de la Providence, to be completed by the end of  June 2016.

Minister Vincent Meriton thanked Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak for the generosity of her donation and for her care towards the children of Seychelles.

“The love and care of the protection of our children is one of life’s great responsibilities, for children’s are life’s greatest gifts. They enrich our lives and make this world a happier place. Today on behalf of the Government, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak for working with us, for our core belief that children should be at the centre of development. It is a special project, it is special because it is touching the lives of children in our four homes...every Seychellois child deserves to grow up in a safe and caring environment thanks to this generous gesture, the children in the homes will enjoy a better quality of life still,” said Minister Meriton in his address..

The children of the home expressed their thanks and sang Christmas carols for the President and the guests and presented the President with a gift, as well as presenting a gift for Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak to her representative.

President Michel and Mr. Al Neyadi unveiled the plaque for the renovated buildings of the President’s Village and then proceeded on a tour of the buildings. The President’s Village renovation project includes 20 bedrooms, 1 main kitchen and 2 pantry kitchens. 2 TV lounge rooms, 1 main dining room and 2 smaller dining areas. 4 administration offices, a meeting room, stores, music room, laundry area and playroom. All the areas have been fully furnished.

Editor’s note

• Her Highness Fatima Bint Mubarak is the President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Head of Family Development Foundation, Chairman of the Business Women Council and Honorary President of the Red Crescent of the United Arab Emirates. She is the wife of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates.

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President James Michel has been re-elected for third term

President James Michel has been re-elected for third term

Sat, 19 December 2015

2015 Presidential Election Results

James Michel- Parti Lepep 50.15% [31,512 votes]

Wavel Ramkalawan- Seychelles National Party 49.85% [31,319 votes]

Here is an extract of President Michel’s address to the Nation, broadcast live on SBC television immediately following the result this morning:

“Today the people have spoken. Today the people made their choice. The people have said that they wish that I continue on the path that I have commenced...for me to continue to lead Seychelles forward in stability, peace, and prosperity... I would like to thank all my supporters from Parti Lepep from the bottom of my heart for their support. At this point in time, it is necessary, more than ever, that we continue to create more unity in our country. Today more than ever we need to work together as Seychellois, we need to ensure we bring our people together, because after all we are Seychellois... The President that has been elected is the President of all Seychellois and we all need to work together for our Seychelles. ”

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Seychelles will be heading to a second round of voting from Wednesday December 16 to Friday December 18, 2015

Seychelles will be heading to a second round of voting from Wednesday December 16 to Friday December 18, 2015 as no candidate has won an outright majority of 50 percent plus one votes in the presidential elections which ended on Saturday December 5.

The contest will be between the incumbent president James Michel, Leader of the ruling 'Parti Lepep' and Leader of the Seychelles National Party Wavel Ramkalawan who have secured the most votes.

After a long night's wait, the island nation’s Electoral Commission announced the results a few moments ago.

James Michel who was bidding for his third and final mandate at the helm of the Seychelles government has won 28, 911 valid votes or 47.76 percent.

His closest rival Wavel Ramkalawan has won 21,391 valid votes or 35.33 percent.

Patrick Pillay, a former high-ranking figure within the ruling ‘Parti Lepep’ also leader of 'Lalyans Seselwa' has secured 8,593 valid votes or 14.19 percent.

David Pierre Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement has won 400 valid votes or 0.66 percent.

Alexcia Amesbury, Leader of the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy, also the first female candidate in a Seychelles presidential election has won 803 valid votes or 1.33 percent.

The sole Independent candidate Philippe Boullé has won 408 valid votes or 0.67 percent.

Since the establishment of the Third Republic, which saw the return of multi-party system in 1993, the ruling party has won every single presidential election in the first round.

This is the first time there is a run-off presidential election.

According to the Electoral Commission, out of the 70,943 eligible voters, there were a total of 62, 004 votes cast among which 60, 538 valid votes and 1,466 rejected ballots.

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Seychelles joins global climate change march

Seychelles joins global climate change march

02-December-2015

A group of about 30 people took part in a march on Sunday to show their concern about climate change, and commitment to action.

The march, which was part of a global campaign organised by AVAAZ and 350.org, was staged locally by the non-governmental organisation Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) in partnership with the Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles (Ceps) and other civil society groups. 

The Seychelles Climate March took place on the same day as hundreds of other marches taking place at thousands of sites around the planet. 

November 29 marked the day before the start of the Paris Climate Summit, where world leaders are gathered to agree to a new and binding international agreement to control climate change.  The photos and videos of all of the marches were expected to be screened as heads of state walked into the Paris conference centre on Monday November 30, as part of a global message to world leaders that civil society wants them to make an effective and binding deal in Paris. 

The various groups who took part in the Seychelles march included S4S members, SYAH, Plant Conservation Action group, and other concerned local citizens and tourists.

The groups marched along the Beau Vallon promenade past the Coral Strand Hotel and out toward the main coastal road and looped back again towards Beau Vallon beach and the car park.
  
“Our event was small, as we were competing with many concurrent political rallies, but it was important that Seychelles was included in this huge international demonstration to tell world leaders to do the right thing in Paris,” a spokesperson for the organisers said. 

“Thousands of similar (but much bigger) events were held in cities and countries all around the globe over the weekend, and S4S is proud to say that in Seychelles we also did our part. After all, the global agreement on climate change to be signed in Paris over the next few weeks will probably have a much greater impact on the future of Seychelles and other small island developing states than our local politics, as important as the upcoming election is to us locally,” added the spokesperson.

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