President Wavel Ramkalawan chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet today, Wednesday 15th June at which a number of policy and legal memoranda were considered.
Cabinet held extensive discussions on the Traffic Management Masterplan. Cabinet stated that emphasis should be placed on ensuring that the primary road networks are maintained and are in good condition.Cabinet also requested that strategies, such as improvement of the public transport system, should be identified to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
As part of the Traffic Management Masterplan, Cabinet approved for the construction of a new set of roads at Ile Du Port. The roads which will encompass the dirt road currently being used by motorist will ease traffic flow from Perseverance to Victoria. It is also envisaged that there will also be a bicycle lane along that road.
As part of the Law Revision Project being undertaken by the Law Revision Commissioner under the Statute Law Revision Act, Cabinet approved the Probates (Resealing) Bill, 2022, and the Immovable Property Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Probates (Resealing) Bill, 2022, proposes to repeal the existing Probates (Resealing) Act, that came into operation in 1935. It further seeks to modernize the law in relation to probate re-sealing in Seychelles, that is the confirmation in Seychelles of probate and letters of administration granted in a country listed in the Bill in respect of the estate of a deceased person who was not domiciled in Seychelles at the time of his or her demise so that the executors or administrators may administer the deceased’s property that is subject to the laws of Seychelles.
The Immovable Property Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2022, addresses a few procedural matters to improve the Immovable Property Tax Act, 2019, matters in relation to the valuation of immovable property in foreign currency and provides solutions to a few legislative gaps that were identified by the authorities implementing the said Act.
In addition to the said Bills, Cabinet approved the Immovable Property Tax (Exemption) Order, 2022, that will exempt special categories of persons from the application of the immovable property tax.
Cabinet also approved a proposal to amend the Judiciary Act to revise the remuneration of non-resident or part time President of the Court of Appeal or Justices of Appeal. With such revision, the proposal is to increase the number of non-resident/part-time Justices of Appeal so as to promote more diverse expertise on the Court of Appeal. The proposal will apply to new appointees and will not adversely affect the conditions of service of existing non resident/part-time Justices of Appeal.
Cabinet was briefed on the Port Victoria Rehabilitation & Extension Project. Cabinet emphasized the need for evidence-based and cost effective decisions on the way forward with the project. Further discussions will be undertaken in a fortnight.
Cabinet also approved the revised Victoria Waterfront Development Plan. The project has been reviewed to fit in with a more human-centric development; one which will reflect the Seychellois culture, promoting a lively place with activities for families, visitors and the youth, a destination to unwind by the seaside of the Victoria Bay, all in one creating a cultural educational place to live, work and play for Seychellois and visitors.
Further details to the media will be provided by the relevant Ministry.