the presence of asbestos in residential buildings, he will state the number of housing units concerned there…
(No. B/938) Ms A. Savabaddy (First Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change whether, in regard to the presence of asbestos in residential buildings, he will state the number of housing units concerned therewith in Constituency No. 4, indicating the measures being taken in relation thereto.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Solid Waste Management Division of my Ministry that in Constituency No. 4, there are 38 housing units at Longue Mountain and 3 at Congoma which still contain cemented asbestos sheets. It should be noted that it is only upon request from owners of the housing units that the Solid Waste Management Division proceeds with the dismantling and removal of the asbestos sheets from the housing units. A contract has recently been awarded by my Ministry for the dismantling, removal and disposal of asbestos sheets from the housing units. According to a survey carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Lands recently, there are still around 1,560 ex-CHA housing units containing asbestos. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in order to expedite matters with respect to this long-standing issue, an inter-ministerial committee is being set up at the level of my Ministry under the chair of hon. Joanna Bérenger, Junior Minister, comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Lands, Ministry of National Infrastructure, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ministry of Local Government and my Ministry to make recommendation to government for the complete phasing out of the housing units containing asbestos sheets in Mauritius. Our first meeting is scheduled to be held this Friday, 31 October 2025.
Yes, supplementary!
68
Je remercie le ministre de prendre ce problème à cœur. Connaissant la détresse et l’anxiété des habitants de Cité EDC à Montagne Longues, est-ce-que l’honorable ministre peut-il donner l’assurance qu’une solution sera trouvée au plus vite afin d’alléger la souffrance de mes mandants ? Merci.
M. le président, c’est un problème que nous avons-nous même dans l’opposition combattu. Nous avions dénoncé la lenteur du précèdent gouvernement. C’est un héritage lourd mais je suis sûre qu’avec la compréhension et avec l’aide de tout un chacun mais surtout l’aide de mon collègue que nous trouvons des solutions à court terme et bien rapides.
Yes, hon. Aumeer!
I just want to ask a question. I heard the hon. Minister mentioning an inter-ministerial committee that would be set up to look at the effects of asbestos in their community. We did have an Addison Report that was set up which came following the intervention of now our Deputy Prime Minister at the time and will this inter-ministerial committee liaise, have any implication as to what was recommended by the Addison Report so that these 3,115 houses that were supposed to have asbestos since cyclone Carol, will finally be eradicated? Thank you.
M. le président, nous allons prendre tous les rapports que nous avons eu, le récent rapport que mon collègue a fait commanditer et venir le plus rapidement avec une solution parce que déjà dans le passé il y a eu, je crois 800 millions qui a été voté dans un budget précèdent mais rien n’a été fait au fils des années. Maintenant nous avons la ferme intention, les maisons se trouvent dans plusieurs circonscriptions et plusieurs sont dans des états les plus, je ne vais pas dire déplorables, difficiles à vivre pour ces occupants. Il est notre ferme intention de trouver une solution, surtout avec l’aide de tout un chacun.
Hon. Second Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUES – ISLETS MANAGEMENT – FORESTS AND RESERVES ACT – AMENDMENT