Reply: The National Development Unit awarded a contract to Square Deal Multipurpose Cooperative Society on 30 April 2019 for the implementation of the project ‘Drainworks at Fond Du Sac’ for an amount of Rs103,850,002.50. The scope of works comprised the following – a) construction of a 2 metres high floodwall over 700 metres; b) construction and upgrading of a swale 3 metres deep and 18 metres wide over a length of 1.3 kilometres; c) construction of a masonry lined drain over 400 metres; d) construction of a flood retardation basin of capacity 83,000 m3 upstream of cut- off drain with a flow regulation structure at outlet, and e) construction of culverts over swale, across Forbach Road and Fond du Sac Main Road – B11 Road. Works started on 23 May 2019 and were scheduled for completion by 23 November 2020. The works were delayed due to lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, land acquisition issues, bad weather and relocation of services. As at December 2021, works were completed except for a stretch of 260 metres stone masonry drain at the downstream section of the project due to land acquisition issues. The land acquisition was completed in May 2022. In April of the same year, the contractor informed that it would not continue with the project due to major increase in prices following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and since land acquisition was not completed. Consequently, it was decided to appoint a new contractor to undertake the construction of the 260 metres of masonry drain. The updated estimated cost for the completion works is Rs33 m.

85 Bids for appointment of a new Contractor to complete the outstanding 260 metres drain were invited on 20 January 2023. Bid evaluation was completed in April 2023. However, the procurement exercise had to be cancelled on 25 August 2023 due to delay in obtaining financial clearance. Bids for appointment of a new contractor to complete the 260 metres masonry drain were invited afresh on 12 December 2023 with closing date of 10 January 2024. However, since only one bid, which was 86.6% higher than the estimated project cost, was received, the bidding exercise was not successful. In order to avoid a further procurement being unsuccessful, it was decided to undertake the project under the new Framework Agreement for Roads which was awarded on 19 January 2024. However, since the estimated project cost exceeded the threshold for direct issue of Works Order under the new Framework Agreement, a mini competition was required to be undertaken. However, the services of the consultant had to be stopped due to request for increase in fees for preparation of bidding documents. As at date, bids for appointment of consultant are under evaluation following which a contractor will be appointed for the completion works. The construction period for the outstanding drain is expected to be 6 months. In order to avoid flooding at the downstream end of the village due to the outstanding 260 metres drain, cleaning of the temporary earth drain, excavated in June 2022 along the alignment of the 260 metres outstanding drain, was effected by the District Council of Pamplemousses in February 2024. Pending completion of the 260 metres outstanding drain, the District Council of Pamplemousses has been requested to undertake regular cleaning of the earth drain. With regard to part (b) of the question, the drain works completed so far are functional to safeguard the region of Fond du Sac. GRAND BAY & PEREYBÈRE – WETLANDS – CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS – BUILDING & LAND USE PERMITS