June 20 2011 -- The President announced that he will launch a national dialogue soon which will include the participation of representatives of all districts and communities.
"We will hold debates and find the cure to the diseases gnawing away at our communities. This national debate is the first priority on my agenda for the next five years. It will provide the basis for all the decisions that government will take to enable all of us together to find strategies to fight the social ills in our country."
The President said that the national dialogue will also address the health service in order to address concerns of service delivery and re-establish confidence in the health system.
"Where it is necessary to eliminate weaknesses, we shall do so.  Where it is necessary to strengthen or replace existing structures, we shall do so.  We must, in particular, put in place a new management system for the health service.  But we also have to assume our personal responsibility for our own health."

Public service efficiency

The President said that the public service must aim for excellence in the context of a "New Seychelles".
"I will not tolerate mediocrity and laissez-faire. It is important that we undertake positive changes that address public concerns. In the New Seychelles, we shall clean up wherever it is necessary. I have always said that I do not work for election only, rather all my decisions are based on what is good for Seychelles and the Seychellois people."  
The President said that in his first meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers, he gave instructions that each Ministry should undertake an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and challenges that it faces. The Ministries are expected to presents these analyses and an implementation plan to improve services and eliminate bad practice.
The President announced that public service professionals will be given appropriate schemes of service in order to ensure that they stay within the public service. The Department of Public Administration has been instructed to start preparing the schemes.
The President said that there will be  major changes in the public service early next year and that such an exercise necessitates the allocation of a budget, changes in certain regulations and policy, in order to put in place facilities to guarantee the change in the public service.
Social corporate responsibility
The President called on the private sector, both Seychellois and foreign-owned companies, tpo  play a greater role in supporting the communities, buy contributing to their development.
" Our country has given you the opportunities to succeed and thrive, so do  not let Government alone shoulder the burden of supporting communities.  Let us assume our responsibilities.  For example, adopt a school in the district.  Adopt a playground.  Adopt a clinic.  Get more involved in the community.  In our New Seychelles, everyone has to make a contribution.  And we count on you."

The role of the Opposition

The President spoke about the need to have a constructive Opposition and its role in society in criticizing the government. The President said that he is willing to work with the Opposition if it adopts patriotic values.

"As for me, my arms are wide open.  My heart is open.  We need all the sons and daughters of Seychelles - without exception - in building this great enterprise.  Let us, in this New Seychelles, promote more dialogue and consultation.  There is no place for hatred, contempt, xenophobia, violence and insults."

Devolution of power to the communities

The President said that he aims to put more power in the hands of our communities, and announced that he intends to create District Councils which will be elected by the inhabitants of each district.
"It is the elected representatives who will solve the problems that people bring to them.  This too, will be addressed by the national dialogue which will decide on how to proceed with this proposal.  We feel the great need to decentralize services.  We have already made some starts towards decentralization.  We have started, but we must ensure its efficiency."

Recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee

The President said that several recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee Report of 2009 would be implemented soon. This includes the creation of an Electoral Commission as well as the amendment of the Public Order Act.  
The President announced that the Ministry of Finance and Trade will be reducing the license fees for the operation of private radio and television stations.  He said that their activities will continue to be governed by law.