Madam Speaker, I am informed that in February of this year, soon after assuming office, the Director General of the MBC undertook a visit to MBC Rodrigues to assess operational conditions, review the technical and logistical requirements of the Station, and engage with staff with a view to motivating them. His visit revealed that the MBC Rodrigues Station has been functioning during the previous years with audio-visual equipment totally inimical to the provision of a modern and high standard broadcasting service. In fact, MBC Rodrigues had become as if a dumping ground for used and second-hand equipment, which were no longer useful to the MBC Mauritius.

18 Subsequent to the visit, in March 2025, a technical team comprising a Broadcast Officer/Senior Broadcast Officer and a Consultant were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive technical audit and to evaluate both the production and training needs of MBC Rodrigues. The audit exercise evaluated the state of cameras, the studio equipment, the editing systems, and other production tools and identified several items that had surpassed their optimal service life and required replacement. Furthermore, Madam Speaker, in October and November 2025, technical missions were carried out in Rodrigues by a team from the MBC and Multi-Carrier (Mauritius) Ltd to improve production capacity, strengthen transmission reliability, and enhance picture quality. These missions have delivered tangible results, including improved studio lighting, camera adjustments and enhanced picture quality. Maintenance was also carried out on all the transmitters sites, including FM Radio and an island-wide survey has confirmed that television and radio coverage was satisfactory. No complaint regarding picture quality, reliability or coverage has been reported following the audit and maintenance exercise. All the MBC channels remain available across Rodrigues. In addition, following the recommendations of the technical audit, practical training was provided to Production and News personnel from the 19 October to 04 November 2025. This training strengthened staff competencies in camera operation, news production, and field reporting, contributing to a marked improvement in the quality of locally produced content. Madam Speaker, I am also informed that in November 2025, the Director-General of the MBC undertook a second visit to MBC Rodrigues, during which several other priority areas for improvement were identified. Madam Speaker, it is clear that under the previous regime, MBC Rodrigues was the least of their priorities. Under this Government and the new Management of the MBC, the MBC Rodrigues Station has not been left out. Accordingly, corrective measures are being implemented to improve the services offered by the Station. A total of Rs12.7 million has been allocated by the MBC under its Annual Procurement Plan specifically for upgrading of Rodrigues facilities. Procurement of new cameras, audio-visual systems, studio equipment and other

19 production tools which is already underway. This investment demonstrates our clear commitment to strengthening the Rodrigues’ Station. Madam Speaker, I wish to assure the inhabitants of Rodrigues that this Government is fully dedicated to ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of broadcasting services in Rodrigues. It is, in fact, the policy of this Government to treat all parts of our territory, whether it is mainland Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, St Brandon and Chagos on the same footing. We are committed to providing our citizens with the same level of all public-funded facilities and services, beyond radio and TV services, irrespective of the part of the Republic of Mauritius they reside in.

Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the hon. Prime Minister as well as the DG. May I ask the hon. Prime Minister in line with the vision to upgrading the broadcast capacity and to well equip MBC Rodrigues, whether consideration will be given to acquire an Outdoor Broadcasting Vehicle (OB Vehicle) for production and live transmission of news, entertainment, sports and cultural events from any location other than at the Citronelle MBC Rodrigues?

The hon. Member is right. There is no OB Vehicle in the Rodrigues Station at the moment but there is one OB Unit which is available. I will certainly pass that request to the Director General.

Very good!

A second supplementary? May I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he can confirm if further or additional recruitment will be carried out thereat?

My understanding is that they have just done training, as I said in my answer, but I am not aware that further recruitment will be done but I am sure that the Director General will do that if he feels there is a need for it.

Thank you.

Next question. Hon. First Member for Savanne and Black River!

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