Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that my Ministry had started the elaboration of a new waste management strategy and an action plan in two phases with the assistance of the Agence Française de Développement since March 2017. The appointed consultant, Tractebel ENGIE from Belgium submitted the phase one strategy report in December 2017, laying emphasis on the need to shift to sustainable waste management with focus resource recovery and incorporating the principle of circular economy. The strategy comprised of five strategic areas of sustainable waste management, namely – (i) prevention and environmentally responsible consumption; (ii) increase of resource recovery; (iii) provision of technologies for energy recovery from waste; (iv) provision of adequate disposal infrastructure, and (v) information, education and communication. In phase two, a feasibility study report on regional composting plants and sorting units on public-private partnership basis was submitted in July 2021. Government took note of the recommendations of the feasibility study report on 13 August 2021, including the implementation of a waste segregation at source to ensure the successful operation of the composting plants and sorting units. In February 2022, the services of a Transaction Advisor, namely Kukuza Property Development Corporation was enlisted by the BOT Project Unit, with prepared project documentations, to carry out the procurement exercise. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 03 October 2024, following approval of Government, my Ministry entered into concession agreements with the concessionaire, namely Sotravic Limitée, for the setting up of an operation of two integrated waste processing facilities in the northern and western regions. Upon start of operations of the two IWPFs, it is expected to divert some 208,000 tonnes of waste from the Mare Chicose Landfill on an annual basis, raising the recycling rate performance from 6% to 45%. The IWPF project is currently in the pre-construction phase, with the concessionaire and Government having to meet their respective conditions precedent before the construction of the IWPFs can start. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, it is expected that the IWPF will come into operation by end of 2028. Source segregation and collection of sorted waste by local authorities at national level will be effective only if the waste receiving infrastructures and regulatory framework are put in place. With the advent of the IWPF project coming into operation, my Ministry is holding consultation with large commercial organisations with a view to enhance source segregation of waste – • drafting of regulations based on the Extended Producer Responsibility Principle for the management of e-waste and plastic beverage containers; • preparing feasibility study with the assistance of the European Union on the management of construction, demolition waste and regulations to make the sorting and recycling of such waste compulsory; • finalisation of a regulation for the management of end-of-life vehicles, and • collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government on a source segregation programme in District Councils on pilot basis. With regard to part (b) of the question, it is highlighted that the proximity principle in waste management means that waste should be treated or disposed as close as reasonably possible to where it is generated. This reduces transport costs, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic impacts and environmental risks, while encouraging local responsibility for waste management. Along this line of reasoning, this policy will be discussed and is being discussed with the Minister of Local Government and local authorities. Our aim is to reduce as much waste going to Mare Chicose Landfill through upstream recovery of resources and recycling.

Yes, hon. Member.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in respect of part (b) of the question, may we have a timeline from the hon. Minister as to the implementation of same?

Well, I would say, there is an established timeline, but we, at the Ministry, are not happy because we have inherited such a situation. We are working on the process. It all depends on the concessionaire, and then also on other practicalities during the course of action of the project.

Yes, hon. First Member for Vacoas!

Étant donné le retard dans l'implémentation du projet et les manquements du concessionnaire, quelles actions sont envisagées par le ministère, s'il vous plaît ?

There are delays. There is definitely a delay in the implementation of the project. We are working with the State Law Office to see what are in the terms of the concession agreement, and see how we can take action. It is both ways. It is not only on the part of the concessionaire but also, on the part of Government itself, with the recruitment of engineers. There have been delays because we have inherited this project as it was.

Hon. First Member for Vacoas and Floréal! SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE BAMBOUS – ALLEDGED MISMANAGEMENT – REMEDIAL ACTIONS