Creation of Infrastructure Agency approved by National Assembly |10 November 2021
The Seychelles Infrastructure Agency is now a step closer to realisation, following the National Assembly’s approval of the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency Bill during yesterday’s sitting.
The Act, which provides for the creation and operations control of the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA), comprises six parts, including the agency’s mandate, services provided, and the functions of the agency in advising government on the strategic plan for infrastructure development, advising on the financial implications of construction and maintenance projects and preparation of documents for outsourced works.
Vice-President Ahmed Afif, on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Housing Billy Rangasamy under whose portfolio the agency falls, presented the Bill and highlighted the urgent need to improve efficiency in the planning, management and financial aspects of capital projects, and the development of essential infrastructure.
“SIA is a centralised infrastructure agency to take charge of all construction projects and maintenance works on behalf of government. Such an agency will help government to be successful in the following objectives; planning of infrastructure development in a more strategic manner in line with national development priorities, standardisation in contracts, specifications, procedures and projects implemented by government, and assuring more professionalism through having all specialised human resources grouped together for improved efficiency, better control and records on the performance of contractors, and better budget planning for capital expenses,” said VP Afif.
“Issues that in the past government were faced with in implementing construction projects will have procedures and mechanisms to control this better, to avoid such in future,” VP Afif explained.
SIA’s mandate is to provide technical services for construction projects implemented by government, and provide technical services for maintenance works on government properties and buildings. Technical services comprise carrying out surveys, studies, preparing conceptual plans, detailed plans, cost estimations, preparing tender documents for contractors or consultants, administering contracts and supervising construction and maintenance works.
The services will be provided to all government departments and agencies, with the exception of departments and agencies including the department of transport, the Seychelles Land Transport Authority (SLTA), commercial public enterprises, the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) and public enterprises with specialised mandates and who have a project division.
Moreover, VP Afif informed the assembly of the creation of an inter-ministerial committee with the role to review and approve concepts for development plans, reviewing and determining the work priority and projects to be implemented by the agency, review and advise government of budgetary priorities with regards to government projects, towards ensuring they are in line with the country’s national development plan. The committee is also tasked with the mediator role in case of disagreements within agencies.
The committee comprises Minister for Lands and Housing as chairman, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Energy as vice-chairman, a representative of the department of lands, two representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, one from the legal department, one from transport, and another member with expertise in accounting and audit appointed by the minister.
The agency’s chief executive will also be the committee’s secretary, and appointed by the minister. Committee members will be appointed for a five-year period, and can be remunerated with an allowance determined by the President. As chief executive (CEO) and accounting officer, the appointee is responsible to manage the agency, and will be assisted by a chief operations officer to be appointed by the committee.
The agency is to be financed under the national budget for the agency’s operations, and as payment for committee members.
“There are also provisions for funds budgeted for the implementation of projects, or maintenance for other ministries and departments will fall under the control of SIA, when the project is implemented by the agency. The funds delegated in such cases will be used only on the specific projects,” said VP Afif.
“The expenses and financial matters of the agency are to be audited by the Attorney General, in accordance with Article 158 of our Constitution,” VP Afif further stated.
Mr Afif went on to note that any property and assets belonging to government and which was being used for functions to be fulfilled by the agency will be transferred under its responsibility, including other contracts, rights and liabilities.
Employees from the departments and entities who are to be transferred over to the agency will receive packages no lower than what they are presently on. Employees are considered as public servants. In total, the agency is expected to have around 160 staff.
Minister Rangasamy will be launching the agency for operations next year.
During the debates, members raised several concerns in relation to social housing projects and whether the responsibility will be assumed by the agency, reservations about the workload of the agency in starting considering that numerous government properties and projects that are not up to standards at present.
Hon. Wavel Woodcock afforded support for the motion, providing members with concrete examples of sub-standard or projects at inflated costs to government, including the Music stadium, bus stop facilities and other community projects, which can be addressed through synergy and the supervisory and monitoring role of the agency. Members also sought for further clarifications and information as to the role of district authorities with the creation of the agency, the R480 million budgets to be allocated to the agency.
“Let’s say the Ministry of Health has a budget for a clinic or hospital, when the budget comes before the National Assembly, it will be classed under the ministry and it will remain there, but when the budget is to be implemented for the construction of the building, the agency will have a management role on the budget, meaning prior to any payments, they will act like a project manager to supervise the project, and they can even authorise all payments to be made under the budget under the ministry. This means there will be close collaboration between the agency and officials of the ministry,” VP Afif clarified in rounding up the motion.
For his part, Hon. Churchill Gill voiced out that there should be representatives of the inner islands and his island of Praslin, proposing it as an amendment, although it was rejected by the assembly.
The Act was approved as amended, by 21 votes in favour. No members voted against, but 7 abstained.