Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that on 17 December 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the then Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation and Evaco Ltd for the construction of a football ground, petanque court, outdoor gym, kids’ corner and related infrastructure on a plot of land of approximately 13,000 square metres at Chemin Vingt Pieds, Cap Malheureux. The project is expected to be completed by October 2025. Subsequently, it has been brought to my attention that part of the old football ground at Cap Malheureux was found to be within the property of Evaco Ltd. Initially, Evaco Ltd proposed to construct a badminton sports centre on this plot of land. However, this project did not materialise and the company later applied to the Ministry of Housing and Lands for permission to develop the endemic garden and a community farm instead. The land was formally vested to the District Council of Rivière du Rempart on 06 August 2024. A new MoU was signed on 19 August 2024 between the Council and Evaco Ltd, clearly stipulating that any development on the land would require the necessary permits.

53 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, however, it was found that Evaco Ltd had started construction works for an animal shelter without securing a valid BLUP that is, a Building and Land Use Permit. Subsequently, the Council issued a Compliance Notice on 22 October 2024. Evaco Ltd applied for the required BLUP on the same day but due to objections from the local residents and the absence of clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, the application was set aside after a hearing held on 30 December 2024. Evaco Ltd obtained the clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 15 January 2025 for the upscaling of the farm as well as any additional animal rearing on-site, provided that all necessary clearances and permits are obtained from the division of veterinary services of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries and the District Council. The promoter was also requested to ensure that the sheds are located further away from the adjacent school so as to minimise any source of odour nuisance. A third application has been received on 22 April 2025 together with the clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change. In view of the fact that the Council has received multiple objections from the local community, a public hearing is being scheduled accordingly. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in a letter dated 19 March 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Lands has informed that it had requested Evaco Ltd to remove the animal farm component which has not been approved. Accordingly, I am informed that, following a site visit by the District Council of Rivière du Rempart on 02 May 2025, several animals namely 9 ponies, 1 horse, 1 camel and 1 goat were found on the premises. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to-date no permit has been granted by the District Council of Rivière du Rempart for the operation of an animal farm by Evaco Ltd at Cap Malheureux.

Okay. Hon. Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! VERDE FRONTIER SOLUTIONS LTD – OPERATION LICENCE – INQUIRY