Madam Speaker, the Abercombie Market Fair Project stands as a textbook case of administrative failure and poor decision making by the previous government. Despite being initiated in the year 2019, the project faced repeated delays and technical dispute between the consultant and the contractor. Matters escalated when the contractor erected a structure without formal approval, and structural deficiency later identified issues that could have been avoided with proper oversight. Instead of resolving the matter professionally, the former government hastily terminated the contract in May 2023. Based on legal advice from Counsel, Ms Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, Senior Counsel, Mr Ravin Chetty, and with the endorsement of the then Vice-Prime Minister, Dr. Husnoo, the Minister of Energy, hon. Joe Lesjongard, and the Minister of National Infrastructure, Mr Hurreeram, this termination was done without valid cause. Madam Speaker, as a direct consequence of that decision, the contractor initiated an arbitration proceeding. The award of the arbitration tribunal was delivered on 09 May 2025 and it was in favour of the contractor. The tribunal ordered the Municipal City Council of Port Louis to pay an amount of Rs25,386,061 to the contractor. However, following the retention of an escrow amount and the detection of tax deduction at source, the Council had to disburse an amount Rs21,257,112.33 to the contractor. After nearly six years, Madam Speaker, only 21% of the works have been completed, and the people of Port Louis are left to bear the cost of this grave misjudgement.

75 Madam Speaker, in view of the complexity and gravity of the matter, I am tabling the following documents for the benefit of the hon. Member – • A copy of the arbitration award; • The name of the arbitrator and parties involved; • Full timeline and status of that project; • Details of the procurement and contract termination; • Legal opinions received from Counsel, Ms Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, and Senior Counsel, Mr Ravin Chetty; • Records of the meetings chaired by the then lord mayor and attended by former ministers; • Financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance, and • All supporting documents justifying the payment now being made. Madam Speaker, these documents clearly show how a poorly handed decision by the former administration, taken without proper justification, led to financial loss and stalled the development. Thank you.

Yes, the hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes! ST JEAN ROAD, QUATRE BORNES - PARKING SPACE