Thank you. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the NHDC Housing Estate at Mare d’Albert known as Résidence Hortensia was completed in April 2024 and delivered to the eligible beneficiaries as from the end of May 2024. The housing estate comprises 203 units of ground plus one in a row type configuration. With regards to part (a), I am informed by the NHDC that to date, out of the 203 housing units, 181 are occupied, 2 housing units have not yet been allocated as the initial beneficiaries have declined the offer and 20 beneficiaries are currently carrying out fit out and external improvement works prior to moving into their houses. As regards part (b), given that the housing units at Résidence Hortensia are individually owned, the housing estate is not governed by a règlement de copropriété and thus, there is no syndic. The residents are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their property. The NHDC has in March 2025 requested the District Council of Grand Port to take over the Multipurpose Hall and the commercial space at Résidence Hortensia. The previous government had not made any preparations whatsoever with regards to those particular issues. A reply is now awaited from the relevant District Council and my good friend, the Minister of Local Government, has been made aware of same. In the meantime, the NHDC is

66 ensuring the maintenance of the green spaces, children’s playground and the other shared facilities and amenities. Allow me to add, however, that this is the way that things were planned by the previous regime. However, I am of the view that it is the responsibility and it should be the responsibility of the Local Authority to maintain the children’s playground as well as the other facilities there, but it is also the responsibility, once the internal roads of any such estate is declared public, that it is and should be the responsibility of the Local Authority to maintain the roads and to clean the places because there are too many places that are not being maintained by the Local Authorities. The reason being so is that the previous regime has tried to remove them from the ambit of the responsibility of the Local Authorities. So, if we are to work together as a team, we will be able to manage all those problems.

Yes, hon. Apollon!

Yes, thank you to my colleague the Minister. As there is a Social Welfare Hall in this residence which has never been opened for the inhabitants, can the hon. Minister see if needful can be done so that these people can have social community activities?

The whole idea of that particular Multipurpose Hall is precisely for the residents to use. There is therefore, in my humble view, even though the previous government had decided that there shall be no syndic within such a property, I am of the view and logic dictates that there should be a syndic. If there is no syndic, who will maintain the Multipurpose Hall? Because it is only for access to the residents of that place. So, there should be a syndic and the syndic and all, and I take advantage of this, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to pass a very important message, is that not only are we trying to revamp and reform the whole idea of managing and maintaining those residential estates, NHDC, NSLD but we have to continue with the new scheme that we are coming up with, mentioned in the budget. But people with a syndic, have to take the responsibility of contributing. A majority of them does but it is important to everyone; if they will get good service, they will surely pay. Thank you.

Next question. Hon. Third Member for Port-Louis North and Montagne Longue.

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