UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ROAD SAFETY– MR J. TODT – VISIT TO MAURITIUS Hon. Members, j’ai l’honneur de saluer la présence à l’Assemblée nationale de Monsieur Jean Todt. Mr Todt is the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety. Seated in the distinguished VIP Gallery, he is known for his global advocacy for road safety. He is currently in Mauritius on an official 24-hour visit at the invitation of Dr. the hon. Prime Minister, during which he will be having meetings with key stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing road accidents. Bienvenue parmi nous, Monsieur Todt. Thank you for your attention.

Madame la présidente, je voulais attirer l’attention de la Chambre sur les abus commis par les anciens diplomates, notamment les nominés politiques et dans certains cas, des loyers de plus de R 500 000 à R 1 million par mois ont été payés pour les loyers de servir les diplomates. Il y a d’autres cas et je voulais poser la question au ministre, s’il est au courant que dans une ambassade au Moyen-Orient, une dizaine de voitures ont été achetées dans un espace de temps très court.

Monsieur le ministre, vous avez la réponse ?

Yes, as I have mentioned in my reply, there are a number of abuses on the part of ambassadors that have been highlighted, and at the level of my ministry, there is an audit committee which has been set up, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of my ministry, studying the audit report. And, as I have said, remedial actions will be taken.

Thank you! Yes, Mr A. Duval!

Does the hon. Minister agree that it is high time to do our cost…

No, talk to me! Talk to me! You are addressing the Minister!

Yes, I am. I am talking, yes. Does the Minister agree that it is high time to do a cost-benefit analysis of our foreign diplomatic missions abroad and to align with the Singaporean model, that is, that ambassadors are based in Mauritius but travel and arrange all their meetings, their working sessions, etc., for specific periods of time to save public funds and also to merge embassies; for example, in the case of France and the embassy in Germany, which does not necessarily have a high raison d’être?

(Interruptions)

Well…

I think he got your message.

Is he prepared to do that?

Lakoz Speaker inn pran ene mwa inn voyaze…

Let the Minister answer!

Well, this question, Madam …

Mr Bhagwan, the Minister is just behind you, trying to answer.

This proposition will have to be studied, but then the hon. Member should also bear in mind that we have diplomatic relations with a lot of countries, and we have to be very careful when taking the decision to close embassies, etc. So, the question will be studied, but then ...

to merge…

… we will come up with propositions.

Bizin pa pran pension.

If I may, Madam, just to …

(Interruptions)

No, no! You don’t clarify; you put questions!

Pa pran pension Speaker…

Al voyaze!

You can put your supplementary questions.

He cannot speak from a sitting position!

Yes, don’t speak from a sitting position but everyone is doing that.

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the proposition is for the merging of certain embassies.

No! No! Question!

Yes, the question is …

We all received your proposals and I know what I am talking about. Don’t forget. Okay, question! Question!

May I ask – Madam Speaker, around half of our diplomatic missions are costing us more money than they should really…

Question!

(Interruptions)

The question is – since ambassadors have not yet been appointed for most of them, it is now a perfect time to do that. Will he do so now?

I can assure the hon. Member that we will not do like the previous government to nominate or appoint political agents at the level of our embassies. So, we will definitely look at competent people who can, of course, bring resources to the country.

Thank you! Mrs Savabaddy, your question. CONSTITUENCY NO. 4 – WASTEWATER SEWERAGE NETWORK – EXTENSION & TIME FRAME (No. B/290) Mrs A. Savabaddy (First Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities whether, in regard to wastewater sewerage network, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Wastewater Management Authority, information as to the regions which are not presently covered therewith in Constituency No. 4, Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, indicating if consideration is being given to extend same to these regions and, if so, the time frame to implement same.

Madame la présidente, la CWA m’informe que la Circonscription No. 4, Port Louis Nord/Montagne Longue, comprend des zones d’équipées non raccordées aux réseaux d’égouts. Une partie des zones de cette circonscription relève du projet 3 d’assainissement de Baie du Tombeau, mis en œuvre par phases. Les zones actuellement non raccordées aux réseaux d’égouts sont : Caro Lalo, Vallée des Prêtres, une partie de Le Hochet Terre Rouge, Morcellement Raffray, Morcellement Tara, Bois Pignolet, Riche Terre, Montagne Longue, Notre-Dame, Crève-Cœur et Congomah. Madame la présidente, afin d’assurer la continuité de l’extension du réseau d’assainissement dans la Circonscription no. 4, la WMA met actuellement en œuvre un projet d’assainissement à Caro Lalo, Vallée des Prêtres, pour un montant de R 216,28 million. Parallèlement, les demandes de raccordement des maisons et d’extension des réseaux d’égouts, si techniquement faisables bien sûr, réalisables, sont examinées dans le cadre de deux accords-cadres en cours. Madame la présidente, pour l’exercice 2025-2026, la WMA prévoit de mettre en œuvre un autre projet d’assainissement à Capitaine Pontré à Sainte-Croix. Ce projet fait suite à une pétition des habitants se plaignant des débordements récurrents des fosses en raison de l’imperméabilité des sols. La WMA a soumis une demande de financement au ministère des Finances. A l’issue du projet, une cinquantaine de maisons seront raccordées au réseau public. Je suis aussi informé, Madame la présidente, que la WMA procède de manière progressive et que les régions restantes sans égouts, dans la Circonscription no. 4, seront prises en compte dans le cadre du plan directeur de 2025 et au cours des prochains exercices financiers, bien sûr, sur la base du financement fourni par le gouvernement.

Merci. Yes, supplementary question.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the hon. Minister for his answer. May I impress upon him to act diligently as my constituency a été l’enfant pauvre du système d’évacuation d’eaux usées and the problem requires urgent attention? Thank you.

C’est tombé dans l’oreille de quelqu’un qui entend. Alors bien sûr, dans le plan directeur, votre circonscription sera prise en compte. Merci.

C’est bon, Madame Savabaddy?

Oui!

Next one is hon. François! RAINWATER HARVESTING – AMENDED LEGISLATIONS – INCENTIVES & REBATES (No. B/291) Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Local Government whether, in regard to rainwater harvesting, he will state if consideration will be given to – (a) amending the relevant legislations to make it mandatory for newly constructed residential, industrial and commercial buildings to be equipped therewith, and (b) reviewing the incentive and rebate on property tax on investment for a rainwater harvesting system.

Madam Speaker, at the very outset, allow me to thank the hon. Member for this interesting question. The suggestion of making it mandatory for newly residential, industrial and commercial buildings to be equipped with rainwater harvesting systems is very relevant. I will explain comprehensively what is being done on this subject. The Building and Land Use Permit, that is, the BLUP, is issued under section 117 of the Local Government Act, which stipulates that every application for a Building and Land Use Permit shall be in accordance with the following enactments and any guidelines issued thereunder – a) The Construction Industry Authority Act 2023; b) The Town and Country Planning Act 1954; c) The Planning and Development Act 2004; d) The Environment Act 2024; e) The Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service Act 2013; f) The Climate Change Act 2020, and g) Any other enactment as may be prescribed. Also, at present, the law does not make provision for the installation of a rainwater harvesting system for major projects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment, that is, the EIA license, or an approved Primarily Environmental Report, that is, the PER. Proponents are advised to adhere to sustainable principles including rainwater harvesting. I am advised that at present, developers having an EIA certificate or approved PER are being monitored as regards their adherence to requirements. Currently, the Local Government Act is being reviewed. In this context, amendments will be brought to the existing legislation to make it mandatory for new industrial and large commercial buildings to be equipped with a rainwater harvesting system. It will also be mandatory for promoters to include the rainwater harvesting system in new residential complexes. Similarly, existing commercial and industrial buildings will be given a period of moratorium to implement rainwater harvesting systems It is understood that for small business owners and households, it may be difficult to implement a rainwater harvesting system given the acquisition of space and cost. However, a cost-benefit analysis would need to be carried out before making it compulsory for low-income households and small businesses to install rainwater harvesting systems. Consideration is being given to raising public awareness of the advantages of having a rainwater harvesting system. My ministry will therefore work with the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change and the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities to create awareness on the need for each household and business operator to have a rainwater harvesting system. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Ministry of Finance that grants/subsidies for rainwater harvesting systems have been provided. In the Financial Year 2024-25, an amount of Rs4 m. has been earmarked for the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change to implement the Rainwater Harvesting Programme in 10 schools and 10 NGOs in order to encounter the problem of water stress during times of water shortage. These ten schools and NGOs were selected following an open invitation launch by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 23 January 2025 among schools and NGOs. To implement the rainwater harvesting system for the project just mentioned, a bidding exercise was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 23 January 2025 for the – (a) supply, fixing and commissioning of 20 rainwater harvesters, and (b) supply, fixing and commissioning of 16 sets of 9,000 litres rainwater harvesting system and four sets of 5,000 litres rainwater harvesting systems with pre- treatment system with screen basket, piping system for rainwater collection, inclusive of fittings. Opening of bid was carried out on 21 February 2025. Three bids were received and same are being evaluated. The evaluation has been completed in the beginning of April 2025 and the project implementation is due to start shortly. In addition, a scheme for rainwater harvesting system investment allowance income deduction for individuals has been introduced by the Ministry of Finance. Under this scheme, an individual may deduct from his net income the full amount invested during an income year in the rainwater harvesting system to capture, filter and store rainwater under the rainwater harvesting system investment allowance when filling the income tax returns. The scheme includes the election for consultancy, design works, excavation works, gutters and specialised water tanks in relation to the setting up of a rainwater harvesting system. In the case of a couple, the total amount invested may be claimed either by one spouse or in equal proportion by both spouses. The full cost of the rainwater harvesting system can be deducted from the income tax claim. Any unrelieved amount of an income year may be carried forward and deducted against the net income of succeeding years. An assessment of this scheme will be made in the course of the next financial year to determine the uptake.

Thank you, hon. Minister. We have nine minutes left! The hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière! CONSTITUENCY NO. 20 – DRAINS CONSTRUCTION (No. B/292) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of National Infrastructure whether, in regard to the construction of drains in Constituency No. 20, Beau-Bassin and Petite-Rivière for Financial Year 2024-2025, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Land Drainage Authority, information as to the – (a) amount of funds budgeted therefor, indicating the projects completed as at date together with their respective costs, and (b) ongoing projects, indicating in each case the location and respective cost thereof.

Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Land Drainage Authority that in Constituency No. 20, Beau-Bassin and Petite-Rivière, nine drain projects to the tune of some Rs48.6 m. have been completed during the Financial Year 2024-2025. With regard to part (b) of the question pertaining to ongoing projects, I am informed that one project has been finalised for implementation, namely flooding mitigation measures at Splendid View, Albion, for a total cost of around Rs114.9 m. The project comprises the construction of – (i) culvert along Albion Approach Road; (ii) drains towards Albion Approach Road, overflow structure and trial pits, and (iii) drains and culverts towards Morcellement Serenis and reinforced concrete drain below Magenta Canal. I am informed that works order to the tune of around Rs13.8 m. has already been issued by the RDA on 12 December 2024 for the construction of the culvert along Albion Approach Road and works are expected to be completed by mid-September 2025. On the other hand, works order for the remaining scope is expected to be issued by the NDU by the end of this week. Works are expected to start by 12 May 2025 for a duration of five months. Madam Speaker, I would also like to highlight that bidding documents have already been prepared for the following projects – (i) flood mitigation measures along B78 and B105 roads at Albion for an estimated cost of Rs216.5 m. which will be implemented by the RDA, and (ii) construction of mitigating measures in the region of Coromandel, which will be carried out by the DICL for an estimated cost of Rs563.8 m. Bids are expected to be invited once financial clearance is obtained from the Ministry of Finance. Moreover, I am informed by the NDU that four projects for a total sum of Rs433.5 m. are currently at consultancy stage and would be implemented subject to availability of funds. These projects are – (i) construction of collected rain starting from the junction of Subramanien Bharati Road and Bakoorising Road to sugarcane field passing in front of MITD, Verger Bissambar, Mont Roches; (ii) construction of drain at Victor Hugo Street, Beau Bassin; (iii) construction of drain at Allée Rousaille and surroundings, Gros Cailloux, and (iv) construction of drain at Dwarka Lane off Riche Lieu Branch Road, Coromandel. I am also informed that some additional 14 drain projects in Constituency No. 20 estimated to cost Rs149.7 m. have also been identified for implementation subject to availability of funds. Madam Speaker, with your permission, I am tabling the list of the completed and ongoing drain projects.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Hon. François, do you have a new question?

That is fine, Madam Speaker. COP30 – NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION 3.0 (No. B/293) Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change whether, in regard to the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 update for the forthcoming COP30, he will state where matters stand, indicating – (a) if consultations have been held thereon with the community at large; (b) the financing mechanisms and strategies put in place therefor, and (c) the outcomes of the previous NDC.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The House may wish to note that, in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the preparation of the NDC 3.0 is being carried out with the collaboration of the GIZ, a German development partner, under its NDC Partnership Resilience Support Programme. The GIZ expert team has started the consultation process with the Department of Climate Change of my ministry since November 2024 and has already conducted a stocktaking exercise. The GIZ expert team, which was in Mauritius from 17 February to 21 February 2025, has presented the outcome of a draft desk review to stakeholders of the Climate Change Committee and provided the highlights of a road map, which identifies the process of updating the NDC. The draft desk review and road map include recommendations for the development of the NDC 3.0 and an accompanying NDC development plan. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, consultations had already been held at the level of the Climate Change Committee at its meeting held on 17 February 2025 under the chair of my ministry and which saw the participation of all its members from the public and private sector, the civil society, including officers of the Commission de l’Environnement of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, virtually, in the presence of the GIZ team. The GIZ expert team, moreover, held several bilateral meetings with key ministries and departments to consolidate the roadmap, outline clear steps, roles and responsibilities of national stakeholders, as well as identify potential international experts to support the development of a sectoral pathway for the NDC 3.0. Madam Speaker, my ministry is in the process of finalising a calendar of activities to pursue the dialogues and consultations. National consultations will be held shortly with the public at large, including that of Rodrigues, to invite them to submit their suggestions and vision for a national climate agenda. Madam Speaker, any suggestion from members of Rodrigues in this august Assembly would be most welcome. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, responding to the climate challenges requiring significant financing, the Nationally Determined Contribution of 2021 had estimated the climate requirement of the Republic of Mauritius to be USD 6.5 billion. It is expected that the NDC 3.0 will indicate a substantial increase in investment required to address climate adaptation and mitigation. In consultation with the Ministry of Finance, an investment plan will be prepared to identify the most appropriate financing instruments to meet the targets of the forthcoming NDC 3.0, which will have a timeline of 2025-2035. An effective response to climate actions will necessitate more effective access to climate finance at the national level, including both public and private sector financing at the international level. Madam Speaker, this Government has already taken initiatives to enhance the financing governance mechanisms by improving transparency and accountability through the introduction of the programme-based budgeting and the targeting of climate expenditures in seven pilot ministries, including my ministry. The tagging exercise is expected to be carried out thereafter in all government ministries and parastatal bodies. Madam Speaker, concerning part (c) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions are still valid until the year 2030. Moving ahead with 2025, the NDC 3.0 will ensure that ambitions are made more robust and realistic towards making Mauritius a climate-resilient and low-emission country. The biennial Transparency Report prepared by my ministry in 2024, which tracked the implementation of a Nationally Determined Contribution, showed that only 15% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was achieved in 2022 against a target of 40%. Only 17% of renewable energy was integrated into the energy mix against a target of 60% by 2030. The House may wish to know that the contribution of renewable energy in the energy mix at the national level in 2005 was 25%, and after 20 years, it decreased to only 17%. In spite of the difficult economic situation, the government will spare no efforts to put in place the necessary resources to meet the target and set and address our climate agenda. Thank you.

Thank you. At this stage, we are breaking. You keep your supplementary for after lunch. Yes! An hon. Member: It is short.

Short, but he will have to reply to you.

(Interruptions)

Vous savez ce que c’est que l’hypoglycémie ? I am going to raise for two and a half hours. He can put his question…

(Interruptions)

One and a half hour…

(Interruptions)

One and a half hour! We will come back at 2.30 p.m.! Everybody is deciding! C’est incroyable!

(Interruptions)

Yes, we are raising for one and a half hour. At 1.01 p.m., the Sitting was suspended. On resuming at 2.33 p.m. with the Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

Please be seated! Let us go back to the question of hon. François. You have a supplementary?

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Given the complexity of the global climate landscape, where Mauritius requires an investment of USD 6.5 billion, out of which 4.2 billion is from international funds and USD 2.3 billion from the government and private sector, may I humbly request the hon. Minister, through a collective societal approach, to ensure that considerations are given to strengthen our mitigation targets and strategies?

Definitely, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I can reassure my good friend that we are working in that direction with all the different stakeholders, even with the Ministry of Finance especially, and we are definitely going in that direction.

Just one more.

Go ahead.

May I ask the hon. Minister, with regard to all the climate change challenges ahead, whether Government is contemplating including Rodrigues’ representatives in the national delegation for COP30 in Brazil in November next?

Normalement!

This is normal. Rodrigues has special attention in our heart, as we all know. So, we are preparing all the processes of participation. There is even a meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, and definitely when we will have to fix with regard to the delegation and our participants, we will take Rodrigues into consideration, depending normally on financial clearances.

And Agalega!

Thank you, even Agalega.

Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/295, B/296, B/299, B/331, B/336, B/341, B/347, B/348.