Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by Metro Express Ltd. that, since I took office in November last, a total of five incidents have been reported at various metro stations, including those of Trianon and Belle Rose, in the constituency of the hon. Member. The total loss suffered by MEL amounts to Rs5.2 million, that is, Rs102,170 as stolen money and Rs5.1 million, I am informed, as damages to assets. I am tabling the reports from MEL with regard to these incidents. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding part (b) of the question, in so far as security measures are concerned, I am informed that security services are provided to all Metro Express Ltd. premises, including the light rail corridor station and ticket vending machines - which is part of your question - and this is done in toto by a company called Edmond Security Services Ltd, in short, ESSL. The contract for this company has been renewed on several occasions since - I am further informed - the beginning of the project. On 29 May 2024, the contract was awarded for two years for an annual amount Rs23,339,940. As per the contract, security deployment for night duty operations for ensuring security comprises the following – • two security guards posted at Richelieu Depot gatepost; • one security guard assigned to the CCTV Monitoring Room located at Richelieu Depot;

65 • four patrol vehicles, each with two security guards, deployed to cover designated stretches of the main line network, and • two security guards conducting foot patrolling along vulnerable sections of the corridor. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (c) of the question, I am informed that following the incidents, MEL took a series of immediate actions as follows – (i) Cash collection by MEL at all stations daily so as to limit the overnight amount of cash in the ticket vending machines. (ii) On 19 May, an ambush operation was organised by MEL, supported by the Police, which led to the arrest of one of the two perpetrators. (iii) A meeting was held on 23 May 2025 with the Divisional Commander of the Western Division of the Police and MEL, which confirmed that actions were underway to locate and apprehend the second suspect involved in the 19 May 2025 incident, who still remains at large so far. (iv) CCTV footages for all incidents have been handed over to CID, SOCO and FIU to facilitate ongoing investigations. (v) In parallel, MEL reinforced its internal surveillance with response to protocol through its Operational Control Centre. (vi) The Police has been requested to reinforce security along the metro corridor. As a last note, I am further informed that in a special board meeting held last week, the Board took cognizance of the whole matter. I am further informed that the termination of the contract will be on the agenda of the forthcoming board meeting which is scheduled on 21 June 2025. Thank you.

Yes!

Je vous remercie, M. le président. Will the hon. Minister inform the House whether the company involved is the same one that was at the centre of the Moustass Leaks scandal prior to the last general election? Thank you.

Yes, indeed, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my attention has been drawn to these two videos, allegedly, mentioning that company in particular, and one, again allegedly, during the very sensitive period which is the tender process.

66

Another one?

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. In the light of the above, will the hon. Minister consider referring the matter to the FCC? Thank you.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is in the remit of the Board of Metro Express Ltd. I can certainly convey this, specially, the more so there is a board meeting forthcoming, that this be taken on the agenda as well. Thank you.

Hon. Second Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or! STC – SUPPLY OF WHITE OIL – CONTRACT DETAILS