Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Land Drainage Authority that the region of Vallée des Prêtres and its surroundings, including Morcellement Ramlagun, on 20 April 2021, have been declared as a high-risk flood-prone area. On 13 March 2022, following heavy rainfall, the region of Morcellement Ramlagun was seriously inundated. In view of the potential risk to life, the following temporary measures were prescribed by the LDA for mitigating flooding thereat – 1. removal of all encroachments and obstructions and restoration of the natural drainage path within Morcellement Ramlagun; 2. restoration of the Rivulet Reserve and the removal of debris at River Latanier;

60 3. rivulet training works, that is, realignment of a stretch of 850 meters. These have been carried out by the National Development Unit and the Municipal City Council of Port Louis. Madam Speaker, in addition, the LDA recommended the construction of a flood wall at Morcellement Ramlagun to be implemented by the NDU and the upgrading of the existing bridge along Bernardin de Saint Pierre Road to ensure adequate hydraulic capacity to be carried out by the RDA. To that effect, the NDU appointed Benchmark Consulting Engineers Ltd., which submitted a preliminary design report on 12 May 2022 and a detailed design report on 15 March 2023. The following flood-mitigating measures have been proposed by the consultant – • construction of a cut-off drain at the foot of Mountain Le Pouce of varying dimensions, which discharges incoming flows into Latanier River through the tributaries; • upgrading, desilting, and lining of the existing tributaries and River Latanier; • construction of a flood wall of 4 meters high to protect the existing built-up settlement, and • upgrading the existing bridges and culverts along the different watercourses. Madam Speaker, it was also envisaged that the consultant would conduct a geotechnical investigation prior to the implementation of the project. However, in view of the significant delay by the consultant, the project has been referred to the DICL on 09 August 2023, except for the construction of the flood wall, which would be implemented by the NDU. As at date, the LDA and the DICL are reviewing the design. Concurrently, the latter has awarded a contract to Water Research Company Ltd. on 04 October 2024 to carry out a geotechnical investigation. Same is expected to be completed by the end of February 2025. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre called a site meeting on 18 November 2024, where representatives of the NDU, DICL, amongst other stakeholders were present. At the meeting, it was agreed that the DICL would take over the project.

61 Madam Speaker, as regards the works allocated to the RDA, I am informed that the latter awarded a contract to Gamma Construction on 28 September 2022 for the following works – • demolition of the existing Bernardin de Saint Pierre Bridge; • construction of a new reinforced concrete bridge of 21 meters wide and 3 meters deep, and • relocation of existing services. The implementation of the project suffered delays due to land acquisition issues, rerouting of sewer lines, and traffic diversion. Works resumed in April 2024 and continued till August 2024, after which the traffic diversion scheme was communicated to the public. Unfortunately, this diversion scheme could not be implemented due to protests from the inhabitants. The RDA is currently working on an alternative design, which may entail further land acquisition. Works are expected to restart by the end of January 2025, and the construction period is estimated to be 8 months. Madam Speaker, over and above the proposed measures I mentioned earlier, regular desilting of River Latanier has been undertaken. For instance, in July 2022, desilting of the river over a length of 5 km was carried out. In March 2024, some 8.5 km of the river was desilted; some Rs14 m. was spent on the desilting works. Madam Speaker, following torrential rainfall in April 2024, River Latanier has been silted again. As an urgent measure, the Municipal City Council of Port Louis has been requested to undertake desilting works on a stretch of 600 meters along Morcellement Ramlagun. I am further informed that the Ministry of Local Government is currently seeking financial clearance for the desilting of another 8 km of River Latanier. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Your next question, Mr Caserne! ABERCROMBIE MARKET FAIR – EXTENSION WORKS – COST & DURATION

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