the baggage scanning equipment purchased in 2023 for the Women's Prison, he will, for the benefit of the Hou…
(No. B/241) Mr S. Jugurnauth (Second Member for Savanne & Black River) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the baggage scanning equipment purchased in 2023 for the Women's Prison, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Prisons, information as to whether it has been installed and, if so, indicate – (a) by whom, and (b) whether – (i) it is operational, and (ii) training has been imparted to the staff operating same.
Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Prisons that five Baggage X-Ray Inspection Systems were procured in 2023 for installation in the following prisons – (a) Beau Bassin Prison; (b) New Wing Prison; (c) Women Prison; (d) Grand River North West Remand Prison, and (e) Eastern High Security Prison. Regarding part (a) of the question, the equipment has been installed at the Women Prison on 13 November 2023 by the supplier, AfricaMED Ltd. With regard to part (b)(i) and (ii) of the question, the equipment at the Women Prison became operational on 23 July 2025 and a training session was conducted on 08 May 2025 by the supplier. One Woman Assistant Superintendent of Prisons and seven Women Prison Officers/Senior Prison Officers had been trained on the operation of the equipment. There was a delay in the obtention of the licence from the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Authority as the location of the equipment at the Women Prison was not found suitable. Appropriate measures were taken by the Mauritius Prison Service to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Authority. After obtention of the required licence, the system became operational on 23 July 2025. RODRIGUES – PLAINE CORAIL AIRPORT – NEW RUNWAY CONSTRUCTION