Madam Speaker, at the outset, I wish to inform the hon. Member and the House that this reply will be relatively lengthy as it pertains to four different football grounds under the jurisdiction of the District Council of Grand Port. The hon. Member has requested detailed information regarding the history, current status, delays and future plans for lighting

87 installation at the Rivière des Créoles, Bois des Amourettes, Grand Sable and Bambous Virieux football grounds. Madam Speaker, I am informed that since 2017, funds were allocated annually for the implementation of various capital projects by the District Council of Grand Port, including the upgrading of infrastructure and installation of lighting facilities. However, it is regrettable that the Council, under the previous administration, did not consider the installation of lighting facilities at the Rivière des Créoles football ground as a priority, despite the fact that this ground has existed for over 50 years and covers an area of approximately 5,500 m2. I am further informed that lighting facilities have never been provided at the Rivière des Créoles, Grand Sable and Bois des Amourettes football grounds. It is only recently, under the current Government, that the District Council has submitted proposals for lighting works in the budget for the Financial Year 2025-2026. As regards Rivière des Créoles football ground, I am informed that while bleachers and shelters were constructed in the year 2014 at a cost of Rs377,400 and upgrading and fencing works were undertaken in the same year at Rs89,239, no lighting facilities were ever installed. The current proposal estimates the cost for lighting installation is at Rs4 million. Regarding Bois des Amourettes football ground, the site has been in existence for more than 40 years. Turfing and fencing works were initiated by the National Development Unit (NDU) in 2022 but remained incomplete. The football ground has not yet been handed over to the Council. The proposed lighting project also estimated at Rs4 million has been listed under the proposed amenities project for Financial Year 2025-2026, subject to availability of funds. Similarly, the Grand Sable football ground, in existence for over 30 years and covering an area of 6,000 m2, remains without lighting to date. In 2015, the Ministry of Local Government allocated Rs138,000 for the removal of damaged fencing but no follow-up project was implemented. Although the NDU had proposed boundary wall upgrading since 2014, actual inclusion in the programme occurred only in the year 2016-2017. Again, the lighting project proposed in the year 2025-2026 budget is estimated at Rs4 million. Madam Speaker, with respect to the Bambous Virieux football ground which has been in existence for over 40 years, I am informed that the lanterns were previously installed by rooting electrical cables through PVC pipes and affixing them directly on the fencing poles.

88 I am informed that the lanterns were previously installed by routing electrical cables through PVC pipes and affixing them directly on the fencing poles. However, all lighting facilities collapsed during the passage of cyclone Batsirai in 2022, and to date, no remedial action has been undertaken by the District Council of Grand Port. The size of the plot is approximately 8,900 m2 and the cost for new lighting works has similarly been proposed at Rs4 million in the 2025-2026 Budget. I wish to inform the House that my Ministry will formally write to the National Development Unit to request that the implementation of lighting facilities at Rivière des Créoles and Bois des Amourettes be treated as a matter of priority under the proposed amenities projects, subject to budget availability. Additionally, the implementation of lighting works at Bambous Virieux and Grand Sable will be considered under a suitable Vote Item by my Ministry in the forthcoming budget planning. Madam Speaker, at a meeting held on 15 July 2025, I directed all Chief Executives of the local authorities to ensure that all public infrastructures and assets are regularly inspected and properly maintained. It is their statutory duty to carry out regular inspections and take appropriate actions where deficiencies are found. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Minister. Everybody is happy? Good! I have less than 10 minutes left. So, now, I am calling the hon. First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart! PSAC MODULAR EXAMINATIONS – GRADE 5 PUPILS – ELIGIBILITY