President Danny Faure has signed into the law the amendments to the SBC Act passed by the National Assembly on 11th April 2017.

The President received the documents from the National Assembly for signature on 19th April, and assented to them on the same day.

The principal amendments to the SBC Act concern the term and composition of the Board of the Corporation, its Chief Executive Officer, and Deputy, and how appointments are made to these posts.

The Board of the Cooperation will now comprise a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 7 others Members, appointed for a term of 5 years.

The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and one Member will be appointed by the President from suitably qualified candidates proposed by the Constitutional Appointments Authority.

The other six Members will be nominated directly, with one by each of the following:

•         The Chief Justice

•         The Speaker of the National Assembly

•         The Association of Media Practitioners of Seychelles

•         The Civil Engagement Platform of Seychelles

•         The Seychelles InterFaith Council

•         The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The Chief Executive Officer, and a Deputy Chief Executive Officer, of the Corporation, will be appointed by the President from among candidates recommended by the Board, and in consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. The CEO and Deputy CEO will also have a 5-year term of appointment.

The CEO, Deputy CEO and an elected member of the staff of the SBC will serve as ex-officio Members of the Board.

Other amendments have also been made in the Act to strengthen the independence of the Corporation.