the construction of a new runaway at the Plaine Corail Airport in Rodrigues, he will state – (a) the terms a…
(No. B/43) Mr J. Edouard (Fourth Member for Rodrigues) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the construction of a new runaway at the Plaine Corail Airport in Rodrigues, he will state – (a) the terms and conditions of the financing Agreement thereof signed with the World Bank, and (b) where matters stand, indicating the expected starting date thereof.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Acting Financial Secretary that the Rodrigues Airport Project has four components which is estimated to cost around USD 200 million. The project will be financed by a loan of USD 184 million from the World Bank and a grant of Euros 15.7 million from the European Union.
24 The four components of the project are as follows – • First, an amount of USD 170 million has been earmarked for infrastructure development, including the construction of a new airport runway, a new control tower, a meteorological building, and a rescue and fire-fighting station; • Second, USD 10 million for technical assistance to support the project implementation and aviation sector development; • Third, another USD 10 million for technical assistance and small investments to support Rodrigues’ Sustainable Integrated Development with a focus on access to water and food security, and finally • Fourth, USD 10 million for technical assistance for the Sustainable Development of Rodrigues’ Tourism Sector. Madam Speaker, regarding part (a) of the question, it is a long answer; I am tabling the information requested by the hon. Member. As at date, no disbursement has been effected from the loan and the grant components. As for part (b) of the question, Madam Speaker, I am informed that the draft tender documents were sent to the World Bank on 30 October 2024 for review. The World Bank has submitted its comments on 15 November 2024. Airports of Mauritius Ltd is presently working with GIBB (Mauritius) Ltd, the project consultant, to amend the tender documents to reflect the comments of the Bank. Once finalised, the document will be resubmitted to the World Bank for its consideration. Thereafter, Airports of Mauritius Ltd would seek approval of its Board and subsequently of Government prior to the floating of tender for the construction works of the runway and other airport-related facilities. Tender is expected to be launched around January next year with closing of bids around April 2025. Contract will then be awarded, hopefully, in July 2025 with a work duration of 42 months as planned to start in October 2025. The project is expected to be completed around April 2029.
Hon. Second Member for Flacq & Bon Accueil!
25 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - FORMER SPEAKER - OFFICIAL MISSIONS (19 JULY- 04 OCT 2024)