Madam Speaker, I am informed that there are 32 LPG Fire Human Incinerators across Mauritius, out of which 16 are not operational. These 16 incinerators were procured by the Ministry of Local Government in 2018, and the project was funded under an Indian line of credit. The contract was awarded on 26 July 2019 for an amount of USD 2,256,000 inclusive of contingencies. Madam Speaker, here I have the duty to inform the House that the out-going Government failed to ensure that the provision for maintenance in the bidding document and this situation led to the 16 incinerators not functioning and hence causing undue inconvenience to our citizens around the country. In order to remedy this situation, bids were invited for the repairs, periodic servicing, and maintenance of all these 16 LPG Fire Human Incinerators. Eventually, Steam House Limited, which met all requirements, was awarded the contract for the repairs, periodic servicing, and maintenance of these 16 LPG Fire Human Incinerators by a contract price of Rs20,504,000, excluding VAT, on 14 October 2024, for a period of two years, renewable each year for an additional period of three years upon satisfactory service. Madam Speaker, as at date, the contractor has already surveyed three incinerators, namely at Camp Levieux, Richelieu, and Tombeau, Mahebourg. In order to prevent any malfunctioning of incinerators, Steam House Ltd. intends to set up the incinerators with both automatic and manual options so that the incinerators could be switched to manual mode of operation whenever needed. In the meantime, all requests for incinerations received at the level of different councils are being redirected to the nearest cremation incinerators, which are in operation under their

22 respective council’s jurisdiction. In case incinerators are not available, the traditional cremation grounds are being used. Madam Speaker, as per the contract, the contractor is expected to complete the repairs of all these 16 incinerators within a period of 12 months. However, my Ministry is requesting the contractor to proceed faster with the repairs. In fact, I am personally following up on this matter with the officers of my Ministry. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can I ask the hon. Minister to inform the House which company supplied the 16 incinerators that were funded under the Indian line of credit as stated by the hon. Minister?

These 16 incinerators were procured from Kanta Electricals India Ltd.

Next question, then. Hon. Second Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien, your third question! FISHERMEN CARDS APPLICATIONS – 2019-DEC 2024