Madam Speaker, I presume the hon. Member is referring to Port Licence issued to Shipping Agents. In accordance with Section 4(1)(g) of the Ports Act, the Mauritius Ports Authority shall, as landlord, exercise licensing, regulating and controlling functions in respect of port and marine services not provided by the Authority. In addition, section 24 of the Ports Act stipulates that no person shall provide any service or facility unless so authorised by a licence granted by the Mauritius Ports Authority. The issuance of licences for the supply or handling of cargo, goods, bunker, water, other equipment, labour or other services within the limits of a port, the outer port or the port premises is governed by the Ports (Issue of Licences) Regulations 1981, concerning the issue of licences. It further provides that a separate licence shall be required for each business or activity that is asked for. This licence may be issued or renewed for a period not exceeding one year, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Mauritius Ports Authority against payment of an annual fee as prescribed in the Port (Fees) Regulations 2008. I am informed, Madam Speaker, by the Mauritius Ports Authority, that port licences are issued to Shipping Agents which are designated by owners or charterers of vessels to represent their interests and act on their behalf when calling at the port. Presently, there are 34 companies licensed to operate as Shipping Agents in the port area and every licensee pays an annual fee of Rs15,000, as prescribed in the Second Schedule of the Port (Fees) Regulations 2008. Following a Port Tariff Study undertaken by the Mauritius Ports Authority in the year 1999, a prescribed fee of Rs15,000 was then fixed to be payable by Shipping Agents. The House will note that since the last 25 years, these fees have not been reviewed.

21 I am further informed, Madam Speaker, that a contract was awarded on 01 October 2024, that is, just a few weeks before the General Elections, for the conduct of a Port Tariff Study by Strategic Networking Partners & Consulting Ltd for a sum of Rs7,202,267, exclusive of VAT. The scope of the study is to set a revised tariff structure that would reflect the real value of port services provided and benchmarked with those being practised regionally and internationally. The Consulting company was expected to submit the Final Report in April 2025. However, the Draft Final Report was submitted, seven months later, on 28 November 2025. I am informed that the bidding document prepared by the Procurement Policy Office did not provide for penalty clauses in the General Conditions of Contract for consultancy services. However, Clause 14 of the General Conditions of Contract provides for the termination of the contract in the event the consultant commits a material breach or fails to remedy a failure in the performance of its obligations under the Contract within seven working days after being notified, or within any further period as the client may have subsequently approved in writing. The Mauritius Ports Authority has not applied this Clause with regard to the late submission of the report. An inquiry into the matter is accordingly being initiated. Approval of the Board of the Mauritius Ports Authority on the recommendations of the Port Tariff Study is expected before the end of January 2026. And necessary amendments would accordingly be made to the Port (Fees) Regulations to give effect to the revised port charges and fees.

Thank you. Mr Babajee, yes.

Will the hon. Prime Minister submit a list of licences issued from 2014 to 2024, and whether, all those licences have been in norms with the regulations? Will he be able to table it?

I can submit a list of these licences.

Yes, alright. Okay. Then, it is Mr Jhummun, Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac.

22 METRO EXPRESS LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM – PUBLIC SECURITY – MEASURES