Thank you very much, hon. Member. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following the grounding of the MV Wakashio off the South East coast of Mauritius on 25 July 2020, the Shipping Division of the Ministry conducted a preliminary inquiry in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act and the Merchant Shipping (Preliminary Inquiries and Formal Investigation of Shipping Casualties) Regulations 2017. The purpose of the preliminary inquiry was to investigate the maritime accident and to make recommendations for improving safety in Mauritius waters. The report of this preliminary inquiry was submitted on 27 August 2020. The investigation found that the main reason of the accident was because of failure of the captain to continuously monitor the ship’s position due to social distractions on the bridge. But, of course, there is more to it than meets the eyes because I have been told that there were false entries in the VHF logbooks of the Operation Room and of Pointe du Diable, where National Coast Guard is. So, that was mentioned in the light of information that was relayed to me. I am sharing it with the House. I am also informed by the Commissioner of Police that criminal investigation was conducted by the Police Department, whereby the captain and the chief officer of the ship were arrested on 18 August 2020 and they were remanded to the police cell. On 20 December 2021, both were charged for endangering the safe navigation in breach of Section 217 (8) (g) of the Merchant Shipping Act before the Intermediate Court. Both accused parties pleaded guilty to the charge. On 27 December 2021, they were sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment. They made no appeal against the sentence. They were released from jail and repatriated to India on 30 December 2021. I am further informed that a court of investigation was set up on 18 September 2020 to investigate and to report on, inter alia, the circumstances leading to the grounding of the vessel, and on 15 September 2022, the court of investigation submitted its report. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding part (ii) of the question, I am informed that over the period 2021 to 2022, the Japan Protection and Indemnity Club, insurer of MV Wakashio has paid compensation as follows –

53 • total amount of USD 2,650,048 that was made on the 23 December 2021 to the 999 beneficiaries comprising 198 applicant fishers, 107 fisher mongers and 624 registered fishers. Accordingly, each affected fisher or fisher monger received around 130,000 as compensation from the insurer, representing the full – that’s what the insurance company wants us to believe – and final settlement of all claims for loss of income, including damages to fishing gears, equipment and tackle for the period August 2020 to March 2021. • A total of Rs22,108,000 from 26 January 2021 to 29 April 2022 to 1,246 individual claimants such as artisanal jewellery makers, boat painters, skippers, hawkers and seafood collectors, that submitted the claims for compensation on the e-platform set up jointly by the Ministry and the then Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Planning on 14 August 2020. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regard part (b) of the question, I am informed that the then government decided that the report would not be made public in view of the fact that certain documentation contained in the report of the Court of Investigation were referred to the Director of the Public Prosecution for action on the 09 April 2023. I am further informed that the Office of the Director of the Public Prosecution has directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate into possible offences based on the recommendation of the report. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the report of the Commission of Inquiry has not been made public, and so far, no inquiry has been initiated. I wish to reassure the firm that shortly, I will hold discussions with my colleague the Attorney General and the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade on this matter.

Hon. Third Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien!

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Could the hon. Minister, please, inform the House whether in connection with this matter, there is an inquiry still going on or not? Thank you.

As of now, no. From the report submitted by the Commissioner of Police it is clear and obvious that there is no on-going investigation. However, may I remind the House that the Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions on the 13 March 2023, impressed upon the then Commissioner of Police that certain inquiries have to be conducted in the light

54 of false entries in the very high frequency log books of operation room and false entries in the VHF log book of Pointe du Diable. But, as you know, there has been no follow-up, no outcome and here, we are. You know, following the meeting which I will have with colleagues, then I will convey the message to the Cabinet and then we will certainly look into as whether the time has come to render the report public.

One last question on this item!

Yes, thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Now, we know that the accused parties in this case have been convicted, is the hon. Minister prepared to inform the House whether those individuals who resides in those areas and who have been affected and who have lodged a case then for the loss they have incurred, whether those individuals would have to proceed with their case individually or whether the Government will look into it?

I cannot dispense advice in relation to the specific question you have asked but I see no reason why they cannot lodge their case before the court.

Yes, the hon. First Member for La Caverne and Phoenix! ENSAFRICA MAURITIUS – ALLEDGED DISCRIMINATORY DISMISSAL – INQUIRIES