Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with your permission I shall reply to the Parliamentary Question B/798. I am informed that the NSLD requested clearance from Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit to close Malakoff Road for a period of one month as from 17 March 2025 for the construction of a culvert. I am also informed that during implementation, the CWA and the CEB approached of the NSLD to use the trench which has been dug for pipe laying and extension of CEB underground network thus saving on costs. Also, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, works related to the culvert were completed in March 2025. However, works being undertaken by the CWA and the CEB are still ongoing. In regard to part (b), I am made to understand that there has been a slight delay due to clearances needed by CWA and the CEB from the Road Development Authority in regard to way leave across A4 road. As regard part (c), I am informed by the NSLD that the works are scheduled to be completed by mid-September 2025 following which the road will be reopened. I would like to add, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that all this is in line with the construction of 2 NSLD sites: Arsenal 1 and Arsenal 2. Both of those sites clearly required some major roadworks such as I have just described and it is quite unfortunate that all this could have not been done in parallel with the construction but it had, since there was so much bad planning on the part of the previous Government, it is only when we took office that you will note that letters were sent to all authorities seeking clearances for the work to start and that is why there has been this closure and that is why there has also been a delay in the delivery of houses by

68 the NSLD. Unfortunately, that particular area of Mauritius only but an example and there are many more.

The hon. Fourth Member for Rodrigues! STC RODRIGUES – TRAINING FACILITIES – PROMOTION