Madam Speaker, the National Youth Council is a statutory body established under Section 3 of the National Youth Council Act 1998 with the object inter alia to initiate youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of youth in the process of their own empowerment. Section 13 of the Act provides for the setting up of ten Regional Youth Councils in each district and in Rodrigues. I wish to point out that projects or activities organised by Regional Youth Councils are funded by the National Youth Council as and when such requests are made. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the Executive Committee of the National Youth Council was last reconstituted in January 2025 in accordance with Section 7 of the NYC Act 1998. I am tabling the composition thereof. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, I wish to inform the House that as sum of Rs77.8 million, which includes the funding of major capital projects related to the upgrading of youth hubs, has been allocated to the National Youth Council in financial year 2025- 2026. I am informed by the National Youth Council that an amount of Rs100,000 has been earmarked for each of the ten Regional Youth Councils. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, I am informed by the National Youth Council that for the period January to end of October 2025, nine activities have been organised by the five Regional Youth Council to the tune of Rs167,740. I am tabling a list thereof. Madam Speaker, since the enactment of the National Youth Council Act in 1998, nearly three decades ago, the youth sector in Mauritius has undergone significant and profound transformation, including the emergence of a new form of youth organisation network, evolving youth needs and priorities in areas such as employability, entrepreneurship, development, digital transformation, climate change, mental health and civic participation and an increased need for enhanced governance, accountability and representation with the youth sector. In light of the above development, the current National Youth Council Act 1998 no longer adequately reflects the realities, aspirations and challenges of the youth population in Mauritius. Cabinet has approved that my Ministry undertakes a complete review of the Act.

71 Thus, Madam Speaker, my Ministry is undertaking a comprehensive review of the council with a view to better addressing the needs and aspirations of the youth. This includes the present functioning of the council, its governance structure and operational mechanism. The objective is to ensure that the National Youth Council evolves into a more dynamic, responsive and effective platform for youth participation and empowerment. Furthermore, this review exercise forms part of a broader effort to allow the council’s mandate and programme to align with the National Youth Policy and with current national priorities. Upon completion of the review, the National Youth Council will roll out a new series of youth-led initiatives, including leadership development, civic engagement, entrepreneurship sensitisation and community-based project. Madam Speaker, I must also emphasise that when I took office, the noise surrounding the management of the National Youth Council was overwhelmingly negative. In light of many representations, I have requested the Office of Public Sector Governance to undertake a full-fledged enquiry. The enquiry is underway and the report is being awaited in the coming months. In light of the outcome of the enquiry, my Ministry will act accordingly.

Thank you. Questions?

Madame la présidente, en ce qui concerne la composition du Board du National Youth Council, l’honorable ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre quels sont les critères retenus pour la sélection de ses membres et si le processus de nomination est ouvert à des candidatures publiques afin d’assurer une représentation équitable de jeunes et des organisations de jeunesse. Ou est-ce que ce sont des agents politiques qui ont été nommés comme pour le Mauritius Sports Council et pour la Commission Nationale du Sport féminin ?

Section 7(3) of the National Youth Council Act 1998 provides that – “No person who is – (a) an office-bearer of a political party; or (b) a member of the assembly or of a local authority, Shall be eligible to be a member of the Committee.”

72 So, if the hon. Member wants to know, no member who forms part in the political party is in that committee.

Yes!

J’ai une question, Madame la présidente.

Faites attention à ne pas faire ce qui s’est passé tout à l’heure. C’est-à- dire dire des choses si vous ne pouvez pas les prouver, okay ?

Pourquoi vous mettez en doute ma capacité de prouver ce que je dis ?

Non, je ne mets pas en doute. Je ne mets pas en doute ! Je vous dis de faire un peu attention parce que dans la précédente question…

Oui ?

Vous avez déjà évoqué certaines choses. Je ne vous ai pas arrêté.

Je ne sais pas où vous voulez en venir, mais…

Allez-y ! Allez-y. J’ai remarqué quand vous avez posé la question.

Qu’est-ce que vous avez remarqué ?

Et bien que vous ayez dit dans telle et telle organisation…

Oui, c’est le cas.

Et ça, vous pouvez apporter des précisions.

L’honorable ministre est parfaitement au courant, c’est pour cela…

(Interruptions)

C’est pour cela qu’il a omit de… qu’il a fait exprès de ne pas donner les noms des personnes qu’il a nommées sur le National Youth Council. Mais je n’ai pas insisté. Je n’ai pas insisté malgré tout.

I am saying that I am going to table it. It is a long list; I am tabling the list of the committee members.

On prend la connaissance.

73

Members, if you will allow me? Earlier on, I wanted to wait for the end of questions to come back to what happened. Earlier on, we had an issue between the Member for Port Louis North and the hon. Minister raised a point of order. I thought it would be wise to remind everybody that we have to look at Standing Order 22 in general which says the “Contents of Questions” but I will come specifically because I need time to have a look at the Standing Orders in order to give a ruling. So, now I am coming on Section 22 (h) which says – “a question shall not include the names of persons or statements of facts unless they are necessary to make the question intelligible” and, in the case of statements of facts, can be authenticated by the Member concerned, nor shall it contain charges which the Member asking the question is not prepared to substantiate;” That is, I think, what the hon. Minister was raising this morning. So, I am telling you just to be careful because just before I made that comment, you have started a little bit. I did not want to stop you but now that you do not understand why I was saying that; I was just telling you to be cautious. But just remember, all of you, we have to go by the Standing Orders. This is why you have voted for me to be here.

Ma deuxième question, Madame la présidente. L’honorable ministre des Sports peut-il confirmer par rapport à la réouverture du Centre de Jeunesse de Trèfles, qu’une somme astronomique – j’ai les documents avec moi – de plus de, je vais dire le chiffre exact, R 1 254 000 selon un estimated amount. Est-ce que l’honorable ministre peut-il confirmer que cette somme a bel et bien été dépensée, et si oui, en quoi cela est-il justifiable en cette période de ser sintir pour la population ?

I do not have the answer now. I am going to provide the answer to the hon. Member.

You want to give the document?

Yes.

Please, take the document from the Member. Thank you. Can we move forward hon. Quirin, or do you have a supplementary question?

74

J’ai terminé, merci.

Okay, merci beaucoup. Okay! Hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes. METRO EXPRESS LIMITED – ADVERTISING CONTRACT – UPDATE