Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the House may wish to note that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Licence was granted to Virgin Oil Company (Mauritius) Ltd on 27 February 2006 for the setting up of a recycling facility for the refining of used lube oil at Montagne Blanche. The operation of the refinery last started in year 2012. I am informed that no complaint has been registered at the level of my Ministry with regard hazardous and toxic air pollution emanating from that company. I am further informed that the Environmental Health Engineering Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness has also not been made aware of any hazardous or toxic air pollution thereon. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, however, I wish to inform the House that my Ministry received one complaint on 21 January 2025 and two additional complaints on 07 March relating to odour nuisance, emanating from Virgin Oil Company (Mauritius) Ltd. In view of the recurrent odour nuisance complaints received during the last 8 years, I am informed that an additional condition relating to the submission of a detailed odour management and monitoring plan by the company to the Ministry of Health and Wellness was imposed in the EIA License by my Ministry on 05 October 2021. In fact, these complaints have been jointly addressed through several site inspections in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Pursuant to section 21 and Fifth Schedule of the Environment Act 2024, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is the enforcing agency for odour nuisance. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am further informed that in line with conditions contained in the EIA License, the Virgin Oil Company (Mauritius) Ltd. has implemented the following mitigating measures. Refined replant is equipped with a wet scrubber, all equipment is enclosed in corrugated iron sheets and Ashoka trees have been planted around boundaries to act as greenbelt. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, an ambient air monitoring was also conducted on 03 April by the National Environmental Laboratory of my Ministry to assess the ambient air quality prevailing in the nearby residential areas located within Montagne Blanche along 500 to 700 metres of Virgin Oil Company Mauritius Ltd. Results revealed that toxic gases screened on all sites, namely ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, toluene, hydrogen sulphide and naphthalene, compiled with the lowest observed adverse effect in level limit as specified by

83 the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Besides the measured concentration level of the parameter, total organic volatile compounds were compliant with the guidelines of the WHO. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that my Ministry has promulgated the Environment Protection (Collection, Storage, Treatment, Use and Disposal of Waste Oil) Regulations 2006 and it is ensuring that the company abides to its provisions. My Ministry will continue to monitor closely the situation and will take appropriate actions. HOTEL DIVING CENTRE – ACCIDENT 20 MARCH 2025 – INQUIRY