President Danny Faure chaired a meeting of the Cabinet this morning at State House, which discussed a number of policy and project memoranda.

Cabinet approved four draft laws including the new Town & Country Planning Bill, the National Council for the Elderly Bill; and amendments to the Children’s Act.  It also approved a Bill for the creation of an Agency that will bring together all actors in the fight against drug abuse, and provide the necessary rehabilitation facilities for the victims of drug abuse.        `

Cabinet approved new procedures to be followed in respect of VVIPs arriving or departing from Seychelles International Airport, to address weaknesses that had been identified.

Cabinet was presented with details of the development plans for the main hospitals on Mahé.  Praslin and La Digue.

Cabinet decided that the Grand’ Anse Mahe School would not be used as the venue for the project involving students with antisocial behaviour.  It was decided that alternative sites would be identified as temporary facilities for this purpose.

Cabinet considered and approved a national water policy, a national integrated water resources management plan and the drafting of the Water Bill.

Cabinet also approved guidelines concerning remuneration for District Councils’ Chairpersons and Councillors. The District Councils will be elected in 2018.

The Governor of the Central Bank briefed Cabinet on the CBS monetary framework and strategy for the third quarter of 2017.

Cabinet also approved for Seychelles to be a party to the International Solar Alliance Framework, subject to ratification by the National Assembly. Under this framework Seychelles will be able to draw on international resources to promote green, clean and sustainable energy.

Cabinet approved the creation of a national oversight and strategic committee for the implementation of actions related to Seychelles’ regional and global commitments, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda.

Cabinet approved for Seychelles to continue to play an important and active role in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS).  This comes after Seychelles’ exemplary leadership role during the year that it has chaired the CGPCS.