Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that the previous government acted in bad faith when managing the procurement of the plastic bins for the Municipal Council of Vacoas- Phoenix. Their decisions seemed to be driven by political interest rather than the real needs of the community. In regard to part (a) of the question, the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix has provided the following details about the supplier and the procurement process –

42 • A national bidding process was launched on 10 February 2023 through the e- procurement portal for the supply of 39,000 plastic bins, each with a capacity of 70 to 80 litres. • The bidding closed on 31 March 2023 with three bidders: Plastic Industry Mauritius Limited, Alpha Hygiene Ltd, Young Bros (Plastics). • The contract was awarded to Plastic Industry Mauritius Limited after a price revision negotiation. • The contract was finalised on 07 August 2023 for a total cost of Rs20,989,800, including VAT. Regarding part (b), subsection (i) of the question, the full contract amount of Rs20,989,800 was paid to the contractor. However, it later became clear that the actual demand for plastic bins was much lower than the number ordered. Regarding part (b), subsections (ii) and (iii) of the question, as a result, Madam Speaker, only 28,988 bins have been distributed to date, leaving 10,012 bins undistributed due to this miscalculation and mismanagement. These bins are currently stored at various locations – • Paillote Squash Court – 2,347 bins; • Palmerston Squash Court – 1,562 bins; • Hermitage Kindergarten – 1,624 bins; • St Paul Municipal Complex – 3,679 bins; • Unoccupied space at Paillote Kindergarten – 800 bins. This situation highlights poor planning by the previous administration, leading to unnecessary public expenditure.

Thank you. Yes!

43

Madam Speaker, may I ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that bins are also being kept in the office of the mayor of the township of Vacoas-Phoenix? Are you aware of that? I will request a visit. It is in the office of the Mayor of Vacoas-Phoenix. An hon. Member: Sa osi dan so lakaz…

(Interruptions)

Madam Speaker, I am not aware.

Minister, are you aware?

No, I am not aware.

Of course not. Of course, he won’t be aware! How big is that office?

I will invite a site visit there. Is the hon. Minister aware that those places where those bins are being kept are in breach of the law? It is in breach of the Occupational Safety and Health Act with regard to those bins that are highly flammable, where people are practising sports and being kept in very poor hygienic conditions, with dead rats around. Is the minister aware of this?

Madam Speaker, I have made several visits around the island, to the markets and everything. But now, it is making me want to have a visit over at these sites more.

Now, you are dealing with bins!

Yes.

Very important for women…

Yes, this is what I said. Now, it is urged for me to go and have a site visit over there.

Now that you know, you will do the needful. I am sure. Mr Lobine!

One last?

One very last!

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Will the hon. Minister also engage in an internal enquiry to find out with regard to those buildings that do not have fire certificates…

That is another question!

…whether these have been in order with regard to placing those bins there by the Welfare Department of the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix?

You will do the needful!

Madam Speaker, I will do the needful; this is true. It is only after the site visits that we can take actions.

I know a lot about bins, myself! Okay. Hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, Mr Caserne! PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS – CONSULTATION ROOMS – PATIENTS’ PRIVACY