Reply: At the very outset, I wish to inform the House that the previous government did not prioritise this crucial infrastructure project, which is directly linked to the safety and well- being of our citizens. Despite being under consideration for over a decade, the project faced significant procedural delays. In fact, it took eight months to relaunch the tender process following an unsuccessful initial bidding exercise. I have been informed by the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) that the first tender for the construction of a Fire Station at Montagne Blanche was launched on 11 October 2023 through the Central Procurement Board (CPB), with the closing date for bid submission set for 14 November 2023. However, due to various technical and procedural issues, the bidding documents required amendments, which were carried out with the technical assistance of the Ministry of National Infrastructure. The revised documents were subsequently submitted to the CPB for vetting on 17 June 2024. On 02 September 2024, the CPB requested further amendments to the bidding documents, particularly concerning the template of "Sub Clause 2.42(a)" - Special Experience. The necessary modifications were made, and the tender was relaunched on 04 September 2024. The closing date for bid submission was set for 28 January 2025, and the bid opening took place on 31 January 2025, during which five bids were received. Following this, the Central Procurement Board will now proceed with the evaluation of bids through a dedicated Bid Evaluation Committee. Once a contractor is selected, an 18- month construction period will be allocated from the date of site handover to complete the project.

145 This Government is fully committed to fast-tracking projects that are essential for public safety. The construction of the Montagne Blanche Fire Station is a strategic initiative aimed at reducing emergency response times and strengthening firefighting capabilities. This facility will provide additional support to the Fire Stations in Flacq, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe, particularly in the event of major incidents. Furthermore, I am pleased to inform the House that, in addition to the Montagne Blanche Fire Station, a Satellite Fire Station is also being planned for Bel Air. The Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration with the District Council of Flacq, has identified a 1600m2 plot of land within the Bel Air Market compound for this purpose. My Ministry is currently coordinating with the technical team from the Ministry of National Infrastructure, which is finalising the preliminary drawings, expected to be completed by mid-February 2025. The establishment of this Satellite Fire Station will enable the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service to achieve a targeted emergency response time of five minutes, aligning with international standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1710). My Ministry remains in continuous coordination with the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service and the Ministry of National Infrastructure to ensure that both projects are executed efficiently and without unnecessary delays. The safety of our citizens is of utmost priority to this Government. We are fully committed to ensuring that critical emergency response infrastructure is in place to protect lives and property. PLANTATION ACTIVITIES – GOVERNMENT’S ASSISTANCE – PROPOSED SCHEMES