President Ramkalawan to deliver Sona as National Assembly re-opens today |10 March 2023
For the first time in history, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles Roger Mancienne will officially open the parliament this afternoon, to crown the celebration of the institution’s 30th anniversary.
The ceremony which is scheduled for 3pm will see Speaker Mancienne leading the ceremonial procession to mark the commencement of the 2023 meeting of the legislature.
The highlight of the ceremony will be the Speaker’s moment of reflection, as well as the unveiling of the renovated chamber to the public.
Renovation and repair works have been underway since the National Assembly went into recess late last year. This followed a flooding incident whereby a water tank in the ceiling overflowed, causing damage to the flooring in the visitors’ gallery, and the chamber itself.
The incident led to an electricity shortage and a small fire in one of the conference rooms.
Changes to the seating configuration were also underway in the chamber from a rectangular arrangement, to a semi-circle where all members will be facing the Speaker’s platform, in line with customary configuration of legislative chambers worldwide.
As is customary, President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan will be delivering the State-of-the-Nation in accordance with Article 65 (a) of the Constitution.
The address is scheduled for 5pm.
However, prior to the President’s address, the seventh Assembly will welcome a new member, in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution where Wilbert Herminie will be sworn in, replacing Paul Ernesta as a new proportionately elected member for the opposition party, United Seychelles (US).
Mr Herminie was elected as a member of the sixth National Assembly for the English River district in September 2016, representing the then Parti Lepep.
Mr Herminie who was born on January 29, 1982, obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Bolton, England in 2007 and later went on to obtain a Diploma in Project Management at the Seychelles Institute of Management.
From 2002 to 2004 he worked for the Ministry of Land Use and Habitat as a building technician, working on draft drawings,reports on construction projects and evaluation works.
From 2007, he worked as a senior engineer for the ministry, and later moved on to the Seychelles Land Transport Agency. From 2012 to date, he is the managing director of the WH Engineering Consultancy Firm.
After serving almost a decade in the civil engineering sector he went on to work in his district. From 2015 to 2016, he was the branch chairperson for the English River district.
The ceremony will be broadcasted on national television channels and live streamed on the National Assembly Youtube channel.
Compiled by Laura Pillay