Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a), I am informed by the NLTA that the protocols applicable in case of discrepancies found in the course of examination of motor vehicles in Rodrigues are covered in five points. They are quite lengthy. I am going to table them.

Thank you.

As regards part (b) of the question, there is currently one vehicle examination centre in Rodrigues located within the premises of the mechanical workshop of the Commission of Infrastructure in Port Mathurin. This centre is manned by one vehicle examiner of the NLTA posted to Rodrigues on tour of one year service. I had, in fact, the opportunity to personally visit the examination centre during my official mission to Rodrigues from 12 to 14 August 2025. I would like to emphasise that I was taken aback by the flimsy manner in which vehicles are examined on the island. The examination actually consists of a mere visual inspection of the vehicles, which is definitely not adequate to determine whether they are roadworthy or not. Furthermore, I observed that the examination pit belonging to the mechanical workshop, which is supposed to be used for examination of under carriage of old vehicles, cannot be acceded by vehicles due to its height above ground level. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have also personally observed that overall, the process for obtaining roadworthiness certificates for motor vehicles in Rodrigues is quite cumbersome. In fact, vehicle owners have to call at the NLTA office at Baie Lascar for the payment of the fitness test fee according to their vehicle category. Thereafter, the vehicle has to call at the vehicle examination centre in Port Mathurin. There, the vehicle is visually inspected by the Vehicle Examiner and in the event of a favourable vehicle examination report is issued, the vehicle owner vehicle has to call back to NLTA office in Baie Lascar to collect the certificate of fitness – so, quite cumbersome. I had raised my concern with the Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues during a courtesy meeting I had with him. In a bid to align with the procedures in place in mainland in Mauritius for vehicle examination, I had proposed that an Expression of Interest to be launched by the NLTA for authorising vehicle examination stations currently operating in Mauritius to extend their services to Rodrigues.

88 The Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues welcomed the proposal and is even willing to put at the disposal of the vehicle examination station, a plot of land outside of the centre of Port Mathurin for that purpose. I am informed that the NLTA has already initiated actions at its end for the implementation of the proposal with the assistance the Chief Commissioner’s Office, of course. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as an ending note, as regard of part (b)(ii) of the question, I am tabling the list outlining the number and categories of vehicles examined over the past 3 financial years. Thank you.

The hon. Third Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUES – “LES ASSISES DE L’ÉDUCATION” –CONSULTATIONS, OBSERVATIONS & CONCLUSIONS