The Agency for Social Protection met with the press yesterday morning at the STC conference room to discuss the amendments made to the ASP Act 2011.

Details regarding the amendments were presented by the chief executive, Brenda Morin.

Before the revision, the Act that was made in 2011 stated that the affairs of the agency shall be managed by a board of seven members appointed by the President and shall consist of a representative of the ministry responsible for social affairs; a representative of the ministry responsible for finance; a representative of the ministry responsible for employment; a representative of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI); a representative from the civil society nominated by the Liaison Unit for Non-Governmental Organisations (Lungos) now Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps); and two other members, who shall be of good standing and repute, nominated by the President.

The revised version of the Act was approved by the cabinet of ministers to allow board members of the agency to be selected from a wider spectrum not restricted to five specific ministries and non-government organisations.

“This will allow members to be selected based on their expertise that will help in the day-to-day operations of the agency as well as bring it to a higher standard,” said Ms Morin.

The current board will end their mandate in August this year and from then on a new board will be selected.

Christophe Zialor