the public gymnasiums falling under the aegis of the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix, he will, for the b…
(No. B/984) Mr K. Lobine (First Member for La Caverne & Phoenix) asked the Minister of Local Government whether, in regard to the public gymnasiums falling under the aegis of the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to the – (a) number and location thereof; (b) total expenditure incurred for the maintenance of the premises and equipment thereof during the last financial year, and (c) number thereof currently operating without a valid Fire Certificate or in breach of the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Municipal Council of Vacoas- Phoenix that there are currently 20 public gymnasiums operating under its responsibility. With your permission, Madam Speaker, I am tabling the list of these gymnasiums, indicating their respective location and status of their fire certificates. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that the total expenditure incurred by the municipal council for the maintenance of the gymnasium premises and equipment during the financial year 2025-2026 amounted to Rs 272,534. This expenditure relates to routine maintenance and minor repair works, including painting, lighting, plumbing, electrical works and other necessary upkeep to ensure that these facilities remain safe, functional and accessible to the public. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, I am informed that at the time of the parliamentary question was submitted, the fire certificates for four gymnasiums, namely Holyrood Municipal Complex, Carreau Laliane Municipal Complex, Palmerston Omnisport Complex and Bonne Terre Municipal Complex had expired. I am further informed that the municipal council had already initiated the renewal process through the National Electronic Licensing System, that is, the NELS. Following inspection carried out by the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), only minor additional fire safety improvements were recommended prior to the renewal of the fire certificates. On the recommendation of the MFRS, the four gymnasiums were permitted to continue operating, pending the completion of these minor improvement works and the renewal of their fire certificate. The municipal council acted promptly and completed all the required works within a few days. Upon completion of the works, the MFRS carried out follow-up inspection, confirmed that all its recommendation had been fully complied with and issued the necessary clearances. Subsequently, the new fire certificates, valid for a period of three years, were issued on 06 July 2026. Accordingly, I wish to reassure the House that all the 20 public gymnasiums operating under the responsibility of the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix are now in possession of valid fire certificates. Thank you.
Yes, it was yesterday, if I understand. It came yesterday.
Yes, one supplementary question, Madam Speaker.
Start with one. Start with one!
Only one.
Okay.
Yes. May I know from the hon. Minister whether there is a survey with regard to the equipment that you have in all these 20 gymnasiums? Most of the gymnasiums have equipment that are obsolete or broken despite they are still running without fire certificate. Do you have a survey for all the equipment that need to be repaired?
Following the survey that has been done, we have noted that we have only four that did not have fire certificates, and it was minor recommendation from the MFRS. So, everything has been done. All the 20 hold the fire certificates now.
I am asking for the equipment, the obsolete equipment.
So, I have to make a survey for this.
For the equipment.
Yes, of course. For the equipment, we can make a survey for it.
Good. So, next question will be for the hon. First Member for Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East. WORKFARE PROGRAMME FUND – ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & ASSISTANCE