Sixth National Assembly - Jutta Alexis sworn in as clerk |21 February 2017
. Tania Isaac is the deputy clerk
Jutta Alexis took the oath of allegiance as the new clerk of the National Assembly yesterday morning and her deputy is Tania Isaac.
Ms Alexis becomes the 10th clerk of the National Assembly, succeeding Shelda Commettant who held the post from 2015 to 2016 and is now the special advisor in the information department.
Among those present in the gallery yesterday to witness the ceremony were Ms Alexis’ parents – Doreena and Ravil Bibi.
After Ms Commettant resigned from the post, Ms Alexis was named acting clerk of the sixth National Assembly on September 27, 2016 by Speaker Patrick Pillay who said during yesterday morning’s ceremony that “she has stood the test of time and has proven she deserves the position”.
“It is for me an honour to be among the few women to be taking part in and witnessing this new political era and environment that Seychelles is presently in. I have assumed this office for five months now and I believe I have lived up to certain expectation to be confirmed in post. These few months have not been easy, but I have had the support of the Speaker, the two leaders, the members as well as that of my fellow colleagues. I am also pleased to note that I have the support of the public, noticing and complementing my hard work,” Ms Alexis told Seychelles NATION.
She added: “Being confirmed in the post for me signifies the few months of great sacrifices, dedication and having had to quickly master certain aspects of this job. I’m thankful for having been given this opportunity and it’s comforting to see that my hard work and efforts invested over the past few months have paid off. While my learning curve remains very steep, I have made a firm commitment to myself that I will in due course take on a course in Law and Parliamentary Affairs suited for my position.”
A teacher by profession, Ms Alexis studied in Perth Western Australia and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education majoring in English. She has taught in various secondary schools over Mahé for about six years and was also head of the language department as well as head of year five at the Mont Fleuri secondary school.
Ms Alexis has also worked as third secretary for Asia desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before joining the fifth National Assembly as public relations in May last year.
Leader of government business Charles De Commarmond said Ms Alexis has now become part of the National Assembly’s history and assured her of the support of all Parti Lepep members.
“You persevered when others left the office and you have delivered in critical times,” said Mr De Commarmond.
Congratulating Ms Alexis, leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan said “she has shown a lot of professionalism and has been impartial in her decisions as acting clerk which is a difficult position within a national assembly”.
He also congratulated all members of the National Assembly secretariat who decided to stay on after most of the others left and were able to run the assembly when it was experiencing “teething problems”.
Parti Lepep proportionate member Chantal Ghislain also congratulated Ms Alexis who is also a member of the assembly’s women’s committee, saying “it is always a pleasure when a woman takes up a challenge and delivers”.
Linyon Demokratik Seselwa’s (LDS) Nicholas Prea of Bel Ombre, who is also the deputy Speaker, said “I got the support of Ms Alexis when I chaired the sittings in the absence of the Speaker and she has discharged her responsibilities in a very professional manner”.
The other eight clerks were Simone Testa (1979), Françoise Shroff (1982 to 1984-85 and 1987 to 1993), Noellie Alexander (1983), Jessie Cosgrow (1986), Sheila Banks (1993 to 2005), Marie-Nella Azemia (2005 to 2009), Veronique Bresson (2010 to 2012) and Azarel Ernesta (2012 to 2014).
Before her appointment as deputy clerk, Mrs Isaac was a senior research officer with the National Assembly and Speaker Pillay said she was one of 15 candidates who applied for the post and went through an interview process.
Some of her main duties included overseeing the library and research unit, managing the parliamentary library and museum, representing the National Assembly at delegated forums, serving as desk officer for the National Assembly affiliated desk, leading the SRHR/HIV-Aids and governance project of SADC PF, and helping with visits to the National Assembly.
Mrs Isaac holds a degree in Human Geography from the Faculty of Arts, University of Leicester, UK. She also holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management with merit from the University of Leicester, UK. She is currently following an online course in Parliamentary Management with the World Bank and McGill University, Canada.
“I accept the challenge to serve as the new deputy clerk and look forward to contributing to the growth of the National Assembly,” Mrs Isaac told Seychelles NATION.