Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit of my Ministry that it has thoroughly effected a road safety inspection around Candos Government School, and the following measures have been recommended – (i) The setting up of a pedestrian crossing to ensure safe crossing of school children, the fixing of warning signs to indicate the presence of school, the fixing of 40 km/h speed limit signs, the painting of ‘SLOW’ road markings on approaches to the school gates, and the fixing of handrails over a length of about 50 metres to properly segregate pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic along Tolerance Avenue fronting Candos Government School; (ii) The fixing of warning signs to indicate the presence of a school along Robert Edward Hart Avenue, and

71 (iii) The reinstatement of all traffic signs associated with existing humps, the fixing of warning signs to indicate the presence of a school and the fixing of a 40 km speed limit along Seechurn Avenue. Madam Speaker, the TMRSU is currently working on the cost estimate in respect of the recommended measures that I have listed above. At this moment in time, like I said earlier, no contract for civil works can, however, be awarded under the framework agreement because the same has expired and new tenders will have to be launched. This might take some time; funds are also being identified in the meantime because, like I said earlier, again, all funds had been used up before my arrival at the Ministry – I am told. Once funds are secured, a procurement exercise and onwards awards of contract for implementing the measures that I have listed will take place. Thank you.

Yes.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente, une seule supplémentaire. Est- ce que le ministre pourrait nous donner une indication par rapport à une date ? Nous parlons de la sécurité des enfants qui, à chaque sortie de classe, courent. On s’attend au pire. Est-ce qu’on peut avoir une indication sur un timeframe, allons dire ? Merci.

Yes, like I said, a framework agreement is a tender that covers the whole island of Mauritius for works to be implemented by TMRSU, and it is awarded by the Central Procurement Board. So, there is a procedure to be followed, but also, funds are being identified. I can safely say that within the next 3 to 4 months we should be able to see daylight on this.

Permettez-moi une question. Une petite parce que je n’ai pas eu la réponse complète.

La réponse était claire pourtant. Allez-y.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. On parle de la vie des enfants en bas âge, des mineurs. Je voudrais savoir, Monsieur le ministre, en attendant… Je comprends qu'il y a des procédures, oui, tout à fait, je respecte les procédures, ok. En attendant, ces enfants traversent la rue d’une façon vraiment brutale parce qu’ils ne comprennent pas, ils ne savent pas, il n’y a pas de policiers, il n’y a pas de passage piéton, il n’y a rien. Alors, on voudrait savoir est-ce qu’en attendant vous auriez pu mettre des mesures en place pour pouvoir justement sécuriser ces enfants ? Merci.

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Il faut mettre les lollipop men, you know, ceux qui se mettent debout au milieu de la rue tout ça pour faire traverser les enfants !

I can certainly look into it to ensure that road safety measures are being implemented. I will do it.

Okay. The hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière! NHDC – COROMANDEL – HOUSING UNITS