the Fire Station situated along St Jean Road, Quatre Bornes, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain f…
(No. B/99) Ms S. Anquetil (Second Member for Belle Rose & Quatre Bornes) asked the Minister of Local Government whether, in regard to the Fire Station situated along St Jean Road, Quatre Bornes, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, information as to whether consideration will be given for the relocation thereof and, if so, give details thereof and, if not, why not.
Madam Speaker, I have been informed that the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) started working on the relocation of the Quatre Bornes Fire Station approximately six years ago. Despite this, the project has not yet started. It is concerning that in the financial years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, a total sum of Rs9 m. was allocated for the project. However, due to the previous government’s mismanagement, these funds were not used, and the project did not progress. For the financial year 2024-2025, only Rs500,000 has been allocated for this project. Madam Speaker, a 7,569 m² plot of land along Tulip Avenue, Quatre Bornes, was acquired and officially transferred to the MFRS on 01 October 2019 for the construction of the new fire station. It is also important to highlight that the government currently pays Rs100,000 annually to the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes for renting the existing fire station premises. Additionally, the MFRS Headquarters located at Atalian Tower, Labourdonnais Street, Port Louis, costs the government Rs13,386,000 per year, including VAT.
67 Madam Speaker, this government is committed to ensuring that this project is completed as soon as possible. The new fire station project includes not only a fire station but also the new MFRS headquarters, a special operation division, a main control room and a fire safety division. My ministry is closely monitoring this matter. I can inform the House that the preliminary drawings for the new fire station and headquarters are currently being prepared by the Ministry of National Infrastructure. These drawings should be completed by mid- March 2025. Once the MFRS approves the plans, a cost estimate will be finalised before seeking financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.
Yes, please!
Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Je remercie également le ministre pour la délocalisation de la caserne des pompiers de Quatre Bornes, une initiative essentielle pour garantir la sécurité des habitants. Can the hon. Minister provide a clear timeline for when the construction of a new fire station is expected to begin and to be completed? Thank you.
Madam Speaker, the failure of the previous government to follow up on the project has caused significant delays. During a cluster meeting on 17 February 2025, chaired by the Director of Architect, the MFRS raised concerns about the delays in this project and emphasised the need for urgent action. At the Project Steering Committee Meeting on 06 February 2025 chaired by the Permanent Secretary of my ministry, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of National Infrastructure (MNI) confirmed that updated preliminary drawings would be ready by the end of February 2025. However, the MNI has now stated that they will be submitted by mid- March 2025. Madam Speaker, this project is a priority for this government. Despite the delay under the previous administration, we are committed to seeing it through. With the completion of the preliminary plans by mid-March 2025 and the necessary financial approvals, we will ensure that the new Quatre Bornes Fire Station and MFRS Headquarters are built as soon as possible.
Yes! The hon. Third Member for Rodrigues!
68 RODRIGUES – MINISTRY OF SPORTS & COMMISSIONER OF SPORTS – MEETING – KEY ISSUES