NEW CABINET or "Nouvo Kabinen" (new toilet)?
This week, our globe-trotting, book-writing, highly decorated Honorary Doctor and President of Seychelles (James Alix Michel aka JAM) revealed the names of the new candidates in his Government.
While many of the names were already known, the Seychellois people were stunned at some of the announcements. The most controversial was of course the appointment of Mitcy Larue as the Minister of Health and we are quite sure that Madame Gamatis must be wondering when she will become Minister of Hydro-Carbon. Surely she qualifies too.
Alain St. Ange has been rewarded for his hard work, but more so for his sucking-up to Michel, while Rolph Payet is probably the most deserving of them all since he actually earned his Doctorate Degree by attending University (hear that James).
Christian Lionnet is another shock as he is neither competent nor qualified, and his speech on SBC 2 mights ago was appalling. Studying for a couple of years in Communist China must be rewarding as Idith Alexander, another unqualified person has landed a cabinet post. Must be great to be a Party Lepep card holder.
As for our ex-Central Bank of Seychelles Governor Pierre Laporte, he will now have to take off his Capitalist hat and put on one of those new Socialist Michel-Morgan styled cap in order to cater to James Michel's welfare state. Forget Milton Friendman and Economics Mr. Laporte. Focus instead on Cuba (Castro), Rene & Michel, North Korea, Stalin and Lenin, Chavez, Mugabe and all those other incredible successful communist economies and those great leaders. Maybe you can ask Mukesh Valabhji, Francis ChangLeng and Leopold Payet to give you some tips on how to become rich, or at least how to empty the coffers of the country. After all, you are no longer running a bank, but you are now in charge of the Treasury. So spend, spend and spend like there is no tomorrow, and get ready for the Assembly to request another 2 or 3 supplementary budgets before 2012 is over.
Marie-Louise the Shrieking Lady of the House has now been rewarded with an ambassador post in the USA. Only God and James Michel would know what this woman will do for Seychelles while she stuffs her face with McDonalds burgers in the USA, but White House and Obama here we come and the red designer dresses will now have to be bought from Macy's in New York. The "Potters" are already packing and they can only see green dollar bills and the land of opportunity ahead. Beats the hell out of that Beau Vallon slum now doesn't it? Now Marie-Antoinette Rose the new Leader of Government Business (what is that exactly?) must be chomping at the bits to start imposing her rude, obnoxious style into the National Assembly. Look out big Herminie, you have competition.
Poor Conrad Benoiton. They have found another role for him in the hot Sepec seat. The man does change jobs faster than a bullet train, but he need not worry. After all Conrad, James the Great Leader is the Minister of Hydro-Carbon, so you are in good hands. But change your chair and spray the office though, as Captain Adam and his dog might still be haunting the halls of the new oil building for years to come. And look out for Mr. Belle who throws Romanesque parties at La Misere. Just as James Mancham was warned of Albert Rene's plot, the good Captain Adam was warned but did not heed the warning. Traitors amongst the midst. Oh Brutus...
Shamlaye and Athanasius also off to some magic land out there to represent Seychelles as ambassadors. By the way, anyone knows what happened to Siva our great international ambassador?
Veronique Laporte the Bus Lady and Joel Morgan's side-babe is now moving to Health. Good for her as she has done a good job at SPTC. Let us hope that Mitcy lets Laporte run the show while Mitcy pampers herself a-la-Athanasius at the Aarti Chambers spa. Erna had an open account there and spent many hours each day in total relaxation and massage-land as per her own doctor's recommendations. Don't forget the hair and nails now.
And we now have an "Ambassador of Climate Change" in Ronny Jumeau our happy, gay ex-Minister who is enjoying the big apple of New York City and rubbing shoulders with Bank Ki Moon. I guess Ronny has no clue how much hot air there is coming out of State House these days and this is probably contributing to the global climate change. He will soon know when Madame Potter lands in Washington.
And for the final master stroke, the wife of our good Sepec man, Jacqueline Moustache-Belle has been given a second chance, probably due to hubby's spying eyes and whispers to State House. I guess a huge salary, nice office with plush leather chair, nothing to do for months on end is a great reward. Just tell PUC to string a few more lights at night so we do not get mugged my dear. And no worries about who will pay for all of this luxury. Pierre Laporte will find a way.
We will not comment any further and will allow you to write with your own thoughts of this "restructuring". But one thing is clear. More Seychellois doctors and nurses will be packing their bags and emigrating as fast as they can. And since we now have several new Ministries, more leather chairs, expensive vehicles, concubines, girlfriends will have to be bought so Minister Laporte or the "Door Minister" should ask for a supplementary budget as soon as possible. Bankruptcy? What bankruptcy? Smaller Government? Not under James Michel.
God bless Seychelles.
STAR ADMINISTRATION
*******
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE
07.03.2012
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES FIRST PHASE OF GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING
President James Michel has announced the first phase of the Government restructuring with the appointment of Ministers, Principal Secretaries and some CEO posts. A second phase of appointments will be made at a later stage.
“It is fitting that on the eve of International Women’s day, I am appointing women to key positions within government as well as the University of Seychelles. Women form part of an integral leadership role in the New Seychelles. I am confident they will serve the public well and add new dynamism in the public service. We are aiming to fulfill the MDG Plus targets, and become an example of women’s professional development in the world,” said the President.
As announced in the State of the Nation Address, the President’s portfolio is for Defence, Legal Affairs, Information, Youth, and hydrocarbons, and the Vice-President’s portfolio is Information Technology & Communications and Public Administration.
Together with the President and the Vice-President, the following Ministers will form the Cabinet, subject to the approval of the National Assembly in the case of new Ministers;
1. Ministry of Community Development, Social Affairs & Sports and Designated Minister, Vincent Meriton
2. Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport, Joël Morgan
3. Ministry of Education, Macsuzy Mondon
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam
5. Ministry of Natural Resources & Industry, Peter Sinon
6. Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment, Pierre Laporte
7. Ministry of Environment & Energy, Dr. Rolph Payet
8. Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Alain St Ange
9. Ministry of Land Use & Habitat, Christian Lionnet
10. Ministry of Health, Mitcy Larue
11. Ministry of Employment and Human Resource Development, Idith Alexander
The President will propose 3 new ambassadors to the National Assembly;
- Marie Louise Potter
- Bernard Shamlaye
- Erna Athanasius
The President has thanked former Ministers Bernard Shamlaye and Erna Athanasius for their hard work in the public service, saying that he believes they will continue to contribute towards the development of the country in their new roles.
The President has appointed Marie-Antoinette Rose as the new Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, after the departure of Marie-Louise Potter from this post.
Ambassador Ronny Jumeau has also been named the Ambassador for Climate change issues.
New Principal Secretaries
1. 1. Principal Secretary for Environment and Energy- Wills Agricole
2. 2. Principal Secretary for Finance, Trade & Investment - Steve Fanny
- Principal Secretary for Health- Veronique Laporte (the former PS, Bernard Valentin is moving to independent consultancy services)
- Principal Secretary for Transport- Terrence Mondon
- Principal Secretary for Employment & Human Resource Development- Veronique Bresson
- Principal Secretary for Natural Resources & Industry – Michel Nalletamby ( although the person remains unchanged, the portfolio of industry has been added)
- Principal Secretary for Community & Sport-Denis Rose ( although the person remains unchanged, the portfolio of Community has been added, and Youth removed)
- Acting Principal Secretary for Land Use and Habitat - Yves Choppy- (the position is temporary until the necessary law to enact the creation of the Project Planning and Implementation Company, of which he will be CEO. The PPIC will also absorb the Seychelles Land Transport Agency).
- Principal Secretary for Culture- Benjamine Rose
New Special advisers
1. Special adviser to the Minister of Environment and Energy - Didier Dogley
2. Special advisor to the Minister of Education – Mr Selby Dora
3. Special adviser to the Minister for Natural Resources and Industry - Antoine-Marie Moustache
4. Special adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs- Jeannette d’Offay
5. Special adviser for Culture to the Minister for Tourism and Culture- Raymonde Onezime
6. Special adviser on Community Development to the Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs & Sports - Dan Frichot
7. Special adviser on Social Affairs to the Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs & Sports – Marie-Josée Bonne
The President, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Seychelles, has also announced that the Seychelles Institute of Management will be absorbed by the University of Seychelles. The President has appointed Marina Confait as the new Vice Chancellor and Lucy Athanasius as Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Seychelles.
President Michel has also plans to create PetroSeychelles as the new national hydrocarbons exploration company, which will be headed by Eddie Belle as its CEO. The board of the new company will be chaired by Barry Faure, Secretary of State in the Office of the President.
The Seychelles Petroleum Company, SEPEC, will be headed by CEO Conrad Benoiton, and the board will be chaired by Steve Fanny, the new Principal Secretary for Finance.
The following are further new appointments across a wide number of agencies and organizations;
New appointments
· Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles- Caroline Abel
· CEO of the Early Childhood Centre- Shirley Choppy
· CEO of Seychelles Tourism Board- Elsia Grandcourt
- CEO of Seychelles Public Transport Corporation - Geffy Zialor
- CEO of Seychelles International Business Authority- Wendy Pierre
- CEO of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency- Marc Naiken
- CEO National Arts Council- Jimmy Savy
- Mayor of Victoria- Jacqueline Moustache Belle (the Mayor’s office will fall under the Vice-President’s portfolio)
Editor’s Note
The women in key posts are as follows;
- 3 women ministers,
- 7 out of 15 Principal Secretaries are now women
- 1 female Central bank governor
- 1 female Vice Chancellor
- 1 female Pro Vice Chancellor
- 3 new women CEOS