Outgoing minister gets emotional send-off from pupils |04 October 2014

President James Michel has confirmed that he has accepted, with regret, the resignation of Professor Rolph Payet as Minister for Environment & Energy.  The resignation takes effect today (October 4).

In accepting the resignation, the President thanked Professor Payet for the invaluable contribution that he had made to government and to the country during his tenure of office as minister.  

He had been instrumental across various national domains, and had played a key role in the establishment of the University of Seychelles.

The President said that Professor Payet's appointment by the United Nation as the executive secretary for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention, was testimony to the high regard held by the international community for his contribution to global environmental protection and advocacy.

The portfolio responsibility for Environment and Energy will revert to the President for the time being, pending its assignment to another minister.

Meanwhile the outgoing minister was given an emotional send-off yesterday morning by a group of primary school pupils at his Le Chantier Mall office.

The group of five pupils from Mont Fleuri primary school bid farewell to the minister on behalf of all students from across the country.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy has always contributed to the education of our students in various aspects relating to the environment, energy and wildlife and during Minister Payet’s tenure, this work has continued to grow and students from across the nation has benefited from it.

“We thank you for all the work you have done for us and we are proud that we have had a minister for environment and energy like you,” said one of the pupils. “Our wish is that you continue to work hard and think of us while you discharge your new responsibilities.”

One of the pupils also read a poem for the minister on behalf of all schools in the country and it was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of the minister.

“I am very happy to see that you have appreciated the work that I have done,” said the minister, before adding; “It will not be easy going away, but looking at you I know that Seychelles is in very good hands”.

The minister also urged the schools to keep working towards protecting our environment as it a very important part of our economy, while also reminding the pupils of the importance of taking their education seriously as it is the only way they will achieve success in life.

Professor Payet’s new role as the executive secretary for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention at the UN headquarters in Geneva will include coordinating the preparation of meetings and implement the substantive work programme of the conventions, including providing assistance to parties, in particular developing country parties and those with economies in transition.