New assembly building opened on Ile du Port
04.12.2009
The new R51 million National Assembly building on Ile du Port was opened yesterday in a ceremony attended by President James Michel, former President James Mancham and Vice-President Joseph Belmont.
Also present were chief justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende, president of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, cabinet ministers, Chinese ambassador Weng Weiguo – whose government contributed R45 million to the cost of the building – the speaker of the Namibian National Assembly and guest of honour Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab and members of the National Assembly from the ruling party as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
The event was also attended by secretary of state Jean-Paul Adam, electoral commissioner Hendrick Gappy, chief of the defence forces Brigadier Leopold Payet and police commissioner Ernest Quatre.
The speaker of Seychelles’ National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie cut the tape and unveiled a plaque to officially open the building.
Dr Herminie gave souvenir paintings of the new building to President Michel, Dr Gurirab, Mr Egonda-Ntende and Mr Wang.
He unveiled the assembly’s logo while deputy speaker Wilby Lucas gave Aubrey Adeline his prize for winning a competition to design it.
Roman Catholic Bishop Denis Wiehe and Anglican Bishop James Wong blessed the building.
Ambassador Wang described the event as an auspicious one and passed on the congratulations of his government and of the people of China to the National Assembly, the government and the people of Seychelles.
He also congratulated the Seychellois and the Chinese involved in designing and putting up the building.
“Since our two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976, based on equal footing, mutual respect and well-understood bilateral interests, our two governments have established the ties of friendship and cooperation of today,” he said.
Dr Herminie thanked President Michel and his government for negotiating construction of the building, former speaker MacGregor for putting together the original plan and China for its contribution.
“I would like to say a big thank-you to you, and also let you know we will forever be grateful for this invaluable gift,” he told Ambassador Wang.
Members of the opposition Seychelles National Party did not attend the event. Its leader Wavel Ramkalawan sent Dr Herminie a letter giving the reasons for staying away, saying in part: “While acknowledging the generosity of the Chinese government in its readiness to assist Seychelles in its development, the SNP feels that the building housing the institution that symbolises our country’s democracy should have been erected from the resources of the country rather than be granted by another sovereign nation.”