Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Central Water Authority that the contract for a glass-fused steel reservoir at Nouvelle France was awarded to Pacific Builders on 10 July 2023 for a sum of Rs48,412,738. Construction works started on 06 September 2023. The reservoir was put into service on 17 September 2024. Madam Speaker, as for the Cluny Reservoir, I am informed by the Central Water Authority that tenders for a Design and Build Project for the construction of one reinforced concrete reservoir of 3,000 m3 at Cluny and one reinforced concrete reservoir of 2,000 m3 at Riche en Eau were launched in January 2021. The tenders for the construction of both reservoirs were awarded to Sotravic Ltd for a total sum of Rs74,713,000. I am further informed by the Central Water Authority that the construction of Cluny reservoir started on 05 October 2021, and the contractual completion date was le 4 octobre 2022. The completion date was revised to April 2023, but the date of completion of works was 13 June 2023. Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Central Water Authority that defects were observed in the reservoir when the CWA carried out its first drop test on 06 March 2023. The contractor, that is, Sotravic Ltd, was thus requested to effect remedial works in accordance with the condition of the contract. Same were completed in March 2023. The reservoir was put into operation in July 2023 and was inaugurated in August, le 17 août 2023 by the then Prime Minister. Handing over was done on 06 September 2023. During a site visit by the officers of the CWA in July 2024, vertical dam patches were visible on the reservoir’s wall. The contractor was again requested to effect remedial works. The remedial works were undertaken by the contractor and specialist contractor, Tusk, from 27 août 2024 to … August 2024. In September 2024, the contractor was informed that there were still some patches visible on the reservoir’s wall despite the repair works carried out. The contractor was again requested to remedy the defects.

42 Madam Speaker, I effected a site visit at Cluny reservoir on 16 January 2025, accompanied by officers of my ministry and the CWA. I have noted the leakages visible on the external wall surface of the reservoir at several places. Madam Speaker, I have requested a full-fledged independent inquiry into the execution of this contract, particularly the quality of work and supervision of the contract. The inquiry team will be required to situate responsibilities, and action will be taken as appropriate. Despite its intended purpose – et ça c’est important pour le peuple mauricien – and substantial investment involved, plus de R 74 millions, the reservoir remains non-operational at a time when the country is facing a severe water crisis. This failure not only highlights potential mismanagement and oversight lapses, but also raises serious questions about responsibility and the effectiveness of decision-making in such a vital infrastructure project. An urgent and transparent investigation is ongoing to determine the root causes, and hold those accountable for these critical shortcomings. Merci.

Just one question!

In view of the significant amount of taxpayers’ money spent on the construction of these two reservoirs, which, I understand, are, regrettably, not operational, will the Minister inform the House as to what corrective measures have been taken or will be taken by his ministry to make sure that the water supply of those inhabitants is not interrupted?

Madame la présidente, c’est clair que ce réservoir va devoir être détruit. Il n’y a pas d’autre choix. 25 fissures sur ce réservoir qui n'a que 16 mois à peu près. Avec des millions et des millions investis justement pour répondre à ce que nous vivons actuellement, cette sécheresse. Une enquête est en cours pour situer les responsabilités. Le contracteur va devoir assumer ses responsabilités, mais moi, ce que j’ai envie de voir, c'est que ceux qui sont responsables dans la Central Water Authority paient les conséquences de ces décisions qui ont été prises dans le temps. Merci Madame.

Now, it is time for me to break. We will break for one and a half hours and we will resume at 2.30 p.m. At 1.02 p.m. the Sitting was suspended. On resuming at 2.33 p.m. with Madam Speaker in the Chair.

Hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière.

43 MAURITIUS JUDO FEDERATION - JUDO CLUBS - RECOGNITION