National Assembly Approves President'S Cabinet Nominations

May 31 2011 -- The National Assembly today approved the nominations of the Cabinet of Ministers submitted by President James Michel following his re-election.
The National Assembly also approved the nomination of Mr Vincent Meriton as Designated Minister.

The President has decided to maintain the same Cabinet for the time being, while indicating that he intends to implement major changes following a thorough review of the Government as part of his pledge for a New Seychelles.

"It is important to maintain continuity in the current economic climate, while at the same time preparing for an improvement programme for our public services to make them more accessible, more efficient, and more connected with the people they serve," said President Michel.

"In the transition period to the New Seychelles we need to reassess Government's structures and pave the path for a new and innovative way of government. Major changes will come soon after a comprehensive review of systems and practices. I will ensure that, where a government decision, policy or action might affect the rights of citizens they are properly consulted so their views can be taken into account."

Minister Jacquelin Dugasse, who was until recently the Minister for Land Use & Housing, has retired from public service after a long and distinguished career in Government.
During the interim period the President will retain the portfolio of Land Use and Housing.
The Cabinet

President James Michel, Minister for Defence, Legal Affairs, Information, Tourism, Land Use and Habitat;

Vice-President Danny Faure, Minister for Finance and Trade, Public Administration and Information Communication Technology;

Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sport;

Minister Joel Morgan, Minister for Home Affairs, Environment, Transport and Energy;

Minister Bernard Shamlaye, Minister for Social Development and Culture;

Minister MacSuzy Mondon, Minister for Education, Employment and Human Resources;

Minister Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Foreign Affairs;

Minister Peter Sinon, Minister for Investment, Natural Resources and Industry;

Minister Erna Athanasius, Minister for Health.
 
Former Minister Jacquelin Dugasse said that he had expressed to the President some time ago his wish to join the private sector, where he said that Government policies had generated the right environment for the growth of entrepreneurship.  Mr Dugasse said he had enjoyed working in Government, and looked forward to contributing in whatever way he could to the task of nation-building.

President Michel thanked Minister Dugasse, who is retiring after 18 years of service as a Minister and 32 years in the public service, for his hard work and devotion to his country.
"I wish to express to you my sincere gratitude and that of the Government and people of Seychelles for your many years of devoted service, commitment and dedication to our country.Yours has been a challenging assignment, and you have handled it with great distinction. I am proud to have worked with dedicated people like you, willing to put their talents and experience in key decision-making roles at the service of their country and people," said President Michel,
President Michel said that he is  confident Mr Dugasse will continue to make important contributions to Seychelles and wished him the best in his future endeavours.
 
Minister Dugasse is an accountant by training and he began working in the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance in 1979.  From 1981 to 1985 he served as Financial Controller of the Ministry of Education.  He joined Air Seychelles in 1989 as its General Manager for Finance and Administration.

He was first appointed Minister in July 1993, in the first Government of the Third Republic.  He has since served over 17 years as Minister. He was the longest serving Minister in the outgoing Cabinet, except for the President.

He held a wide range of portfolios, as follows:

1993-1995    Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources

1995-2001    Minister of Health

2001-2004    Minister of Industries & International Business

2004-2005    Minister of Economic Planning

2005-2006    Minister of Economic Planning & Employment

2006-2007    Minister of Industries, Investment & Technology

2007-2010    Minister of National Development

2010-2011    Minister of Land Use & Housing