Reply: I wish to inform the House that the number of daily transactions undertaken at the level of the counters of the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA) has increased exponentially with the average yearly rise of around 4 to 5% in our vehicle fleet which currently stands at some 720,000. With a view to enhancing the NLTA counter services, a proposal was made in June 2024 by the former Government to relocate some of the NLTA counters at the Victoria Urban Terminal which is easily accessible to the public.

139 Subsequently, in December 2024, that is, about one month after I took office at the Ministry, a joint site visit was held at the Victoria Urban Terminal together with my colleague, the Minister of Local Government, whereby a proposal was made to relocate not only some of the NLTA counters but also the NLTA Head Office which is housed at the MSI Building, Cassis, since more than two decades. This relocation was mooted due to the strategic location of the Urban Terminal whilst catering for a more spacious office and improved work environment for the NLTA Staff. Technical working sessions were subsequently held by the NLTA and the Architect section of the Ministry of National Infrastructure to come up with proposals and cost estimates. However, I have to inform the House that no furtherance is being given to this relocation due to the excessively high costs implications estimated at some Rs106 million relating only to the partitioning works communicated to my Ministry by the Ministry of National Infrastructure. Additionally, I am made to understand that this exercise would entail relocation costs together with a monthly rental of around Rs1.75 million in respect of one floor at the Victoria Urban Terminal. In view of the present State of the Economy, it is not deemed appropriate to pursue with such exorbitant initiative, at this stage. Nevertheless, in line with this Government’s endeavour to decentralise the NLTA services, several other measures are underway. Firstly, my Ministry is working in close collaboration with the Registrar General’s Department for the proposed setting up of a Vehicle Registration and Transfer Centre at Phoenix to provide a one-stop-shop service to the customers, especially those from the South and Plaines Wilhems. Additionally, the opening of a sub office of the NLTA in the North of the island is also in the pipeline and I am informed by the NLTA that an Expression of Interest was launched on 20 March 2025 for the renting of office to house a sub-office in the Northern Region within the District of Pamplemousses or Rivière du Rempart. Three offers, namely in the regions of Terre Rouge, Triolet and Rivière du Rempart were received as at the closing date of 11 April 2025. Site visits are being undertaken by the NLTA. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS – RAIN WATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS