The European Union’s head of delegation for Seychelles, Ambassador Alessandro Mariani paid a courtesy call on the Leader of the Opposition at Arpent Vert today.
Mr Ramkalawan and Mr Mariani discussed the EU’s Global Climate Change Alliance initiative, budget support for Seychelles which has been increased to a total of €18.5 million this year.
Mr Ramkalawan said the proactive role of the industrialised nations can help small island states like Seychelles minimise the impact of climate change.
He briefed Ambassador Mariani on SNP’s energy policy that calls for more financial resources for this important sector and the introduction of standards in energy consumption.
He conveyed SNP’s willingness to agree with a bi-partisan approach on such national issues like climate change and energy affairs.
Mr Ramkalawan also conveyed SNP’s thank to the EU NAVFOR’s assistance to Seychelles in the fight against piracy.
Friday, 26 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Leader of Opposition supports DRDM
The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan has pledged to support the Department of Risk and Disaster Management’s (DRDM) effort to become a permanent member of the planning authority.
Speaking during a climate change workshop organized this week for members of the National Assembly, Mr Ramkalawan described it as unacceptable for such an important institution that is laboring to reduce the country’s disaster risks and vulnerabilities to be excluded on the panel.
DRDM last served on the planning authority in 2007. Mr Ramkalawan said he will bring a motion to the Assembly calling on government to reserve a seat for DRDM on this powerful authority.
“Since there is no policy that requires a risk assessment before any development, the DRDM can contribute immensely in increasing the authority’s capacity in assessing risks,” he said.
Mr Ramkalawan highlighted the contradictions that exist in government policies and institutions. He said whilst the government is busy with various developments projects, it is also marginalizing state institutions and local professionals who want to address the risks factors.
Speaking in the wake of the La Misere pollution incident, Mr Ramkalawan has urged government to demonstrate real and practical engagement in sustaining Seychelles’ environment.
Speaking during a climate change workshop organized this week for members of the National Assembly, Mr Ramkalawan described it as unacceptable for such an important institution that is laboring to reduce the country’s disaster risks and vulnerabilities to be excluded on the panel.
DRDM last served on the planning authority in 2007. Mr Ramkalawan said he will bring a motion to the Assembly calling on government to reserve a seat for DRDM on this powerful authority.
“Since there is no policy that requires a risk assessment before any development, the DRDM can contribute immensely in increasing the authority’s capacity in assessing risks,” he said.
Mr Ramkalawan highlighted the contradictions that exist in government policies and institutions. He said whilst the government is busy with various developments projects, it is also marginalizing state institutions and local professionals who want to address the risks factors.
Speaking in the wake of the La Misere pollution incident, Mr Ramkalawan has urged government to demonstrate real and practical engagement in sustaining Seychelles’ environment.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Opposition Leader attends parliamentary conference
Opposition Leader Wavel Ramkalawan has attended a seminar organized by the UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parlia-mentary Association on the theme of ‘peace, security and development’.
Organised from January 31 to February 6, the meeting brought together 83 delegates from 37 countries in and outside the Commonwealth. British Parliament Speaker John Burkow welcomed the delegates to Westminster for the first part of the conference, which then crossed the seas to Stormont, the Northern Ireland parliament.
The declared aim of the conference was to strengthen the role parliamentarians in holding the executive accountable in sustaining peace and security. Delegates declared their commitment to this task in a final communiqué.
Mr. Ramkalawan has said that the conference covered many issues of relevance to the work of parliaments and as well provided the opportunity for interaction with fellow parliamentarians across the world.
Grand Anse Praslin MNA Marc Volcere also attended the seminar.
Organised from January 31 to February 6, the meeting brought together 83 delegates from 37 countries in and outside the Commonwealth. British Parliament Speaker John Burkow welcomed the delegates to Westminster for the first part of the conference, which then crossed the seas to Stormont, the Northern Ireland parliament.
The declared aim of the conference was to strengthen the role parliamentarians in holding the executive accountable in sustaining peace and security. Delegates declared their commitment to this task in a final communiqué.
Mr. Ramkalawan has said that the conference covered many issues of relevance to the work of parliaments and as well provided the opportunity for interaction with fellow parliamentarians across the world.
Grand Anse Praslin MNA Marc Volcere also attended the seminar.
Monday, 1 February 2010
An Effective State: Ramkalawan outlines an SNP mission for today
SNP and Opposition Leader, Wavel Ramkalawan has outlined the concept of ‘An Effective State’ as a goal of the SNP today. He has addressed the subject in an article for Regar which has been published as a supplement in our edition this week.
“An Effective State is one which functions effectively for its citizens. It must provide a solid and whole framework for people to live their lives in stability and security, sure of their rights, pursuing their goals and ambitions and contributing to the creation of a nation we will be proud of”, the SNP Leader writes.
The article makes the point that the normal lives of citizens must be free from politics. People should not have to calculate political consideration in their everyday work and lives, he explains. Politics should also not enter into consideration in the way citizens can get services such as housing and education from the state.
Mr. Ramkalawan has presented the effective state as one which will guarantee stability and security. Seychellois have faced many rude shocks which have destabilised their lives – the economic reform programme being the only latest.
People need to know where they stand in order to advance in their lives and work.
The security of all Seychellois individuals and businesses also need to be assured, both from crime in their communities and throughout our territory. Our outer islands need to be an integral part of our nation.
Achieving an effective state will depend on sound and strong institutions. This starts with strong and decisive leadership by the Executive but without political interference in the public service organisations or the national institutions. The National Assembly must assume full role as a branch of Government and not operate as an extension of the Executive while the mandate of such institutions as the Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Ethics Commission must be strengthened so that they can assume their full role.
The statement also contains a call for professionalism in the Government organisations that deliver service to citizens but, it also calls for participation of all Seychellois and the assurance that all can share in the opportunities which the country offers. The country can ensure a good standard of living for all citizens without dependence on welfare if the wealth it earns is distributed efficiently and fairly.
“An Effective State is one which functions effectively for its citizens. It must provide a solid and whole framework for people to live their lives in stability and security, sure of their rights, pursuing their goals and ambitions and contributing to the creation of a nation we will be proud of”, the SNP Leader writes.
The article makes the point that the normal lives of citizens must be free from politics. People should not have to calculate political consideration in their everyday work and lives, he explains. Politics should also not enter into consideration in the way citizens can get services such as housing and education from the state.
Mr. Ramkalawan has presented the effective state as one which will guarantee stability and security. Seychellois have faced many rude shocks which have destabilised their lives – the economic reform programme being the only latest.
People need to know where they stand in order to advance in their lives and work.
The security of all Seychellois individuals and businesses also need to be assured, both from crime in their communities and throughout our territory. Our outer islands need to be an integral part of our nation.
Achieving an effective state will depend on sound and strong institutions. This starts with strong and decisive leadership by the Executive but without political interference in the public service organisations or the national institutions. The National Assembly must assume full role as a branch of Government and not operate as an extension of the Executive while the mandate of such institutions as the Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Ethics Commission must be strengthened so that they can assume their full role.
The statement also contains a call for professionalism in the Government organisations that deliver service to citizens but, it also calls for participation of all Seychellois and the assurance that all can share in the opportunities which the country offers. The country can ensure a good standard of living for all citizens without dependence on welfare if the wealth it earns is distributed efficiently and fairly.
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