Madam Speaker, Mr J.A. was appointment as part-time Chairman of the Tourism Authority Board on 08 January 2025 under Section 4(2) (a) of the Tourism Authority Act. Since his appointment, Mr J.A. has been subject to various complaints, both in writing and verbal from the staff of the tourism authority. These complaints relate essentially to his excessive behaviour, use of foul and derogatory language, lack of respect, giving them instructions when he is not authorised to do as a part-time Chairperson, compelling them to do things against their will, shouting at them and persecuting them. It is worth noting, Madam Speaker, that as per section 14(2) of the Tourism Authority Act, all employees of the authority fall under the administrative control of the Director, and the part-time Chairman. Mr J.A. therefore, had no authority to give employees any directives. The House may also wish to note that Mr J.A. has been reported by the former Director of the Tourism Authority and even the current one who has been in office for less than one month. Both complained that they were not able to work properly in view of the attitude of the part-time Chairperson. In short, Madam Speaker, Mr J.A. was acting beyond his power of part-time Chairperson. He was behaving like a brute, exactly like the bitort which the hon. Deputy Prime Minister mentioned in his press conference. He even abused his position to have access to CCTV cameras and vehicle GPS tracking system on his laptop. Madam Speaker, in November last, Mr J.A. picked a serious fight with the former Director; a matter which he himself reported to the ministry. The ministry initiated an enquiry thereon. However, when called at the ministry for his version, Mr J.A. refused to come on ground that he was travelling. The enquiry could therefore not be finalised. Following the resignation of the former Director in early January this year, Mr J.A took total control of the Tourism Authority and I am informed that he carried out major reshuffle at the Tourism Authority without consulting the board. On 12 February 2026, one lady officer of the Tourism Authority reported the part-time Chairperson, in a precautionary measure, to the Line Barracks police station, OB number 1278/226. I wish to point out, Madam Speaker, that this is not the only complaint of misbehaviour, harassment at the Tourism Authority reported to my Ministry and the labour office. I wish to mention the case of another lady who reported having been verbally abused by the part-time Chairperson using unacceptable language which I don’t want to quote. She reported the case to the labour office and her union. Mr J.A. was fully aware of all these complaints as his explanation has also been sought by the Ministry. In addition, Madam Speaker, Mr J.A. had forced his way to chair the Licensing Committee which examines and grants licenses to pleasure crafts, tourism activities, guest houses, restaurants and hotels. Although this is not in line with the code of good governance, he held that key committee pratiquement en otage. Meetings were being scheduled as per his convenience after long intervals despite the applications accumulating. Many members present here, in the House, have called my Ministry to complain of the excessive delay in determination of applications. Since the situation the Tourism Authority was deteriorating, I had no choice than to end the appointment of the part-time Chairperson of the Tourism Authority in line with the section 4(3) of the Tourism Authority Act and section 28(1)(c) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act. Same was communicated to him by way of a letter on 27 February 2026. However, I understand that following intense lobbying from his part, instruction was received at my Ministry on Thursday 05 March 2026 for his letter of termination to be recalled. I wish to point out that I was out of the country at the time and came back only on Saturday 07 March 2026. Madam Speaker, I later took cognizance of this matter, and it was further discussed at the Cabinet meeting held on 06 March 2026. It was decided that Mr J.A. be suspended with immediate effect, and that an enquiry be carried out to look into the various allegations of malpractices made against him. My Ministry is in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office for the setting up of an enquiry. The House will agree that it will be not in order for me to delve into the matter further given an inquiry is being contemplated.

Madam Speaker, may I? If you will allow me three supplementaries.

I will try.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Very brief ones. The first one, Madam Speaker, being this non-executive director, according to law, does not have the protection as an employee, the question is: why was it decided to suspend him after having dismissed him, and to conduct an inquiry? In fact, as early as October 2025, there had been at least two previous complaints against this person for verbal abuse, but also for acting in abuse of his authority as a non- executive director; giving directive and orders to staff; having a day-to-day office; having a secretary, and all sorts of other privileges which he was not entitled to.

Madame la présidente, je pense que j’étais très explicite dans ma réponse initiale. Néanmoins, Madam Speaker, there are not only some complaints. There are several. As at date, there are several employees who had already lodged a complaint either at the Ministry of Labour, at the police, or at my Ministry. I confirm that he was abusing his authority and even had access to CCTV footage. Yes, he did act like a bitor, Madam Speaker. As a responsible Minister, I acted in the interests, I must say, of the employees and revoked Mr J.A. as Chairperson.

Madam Speaker!

Yes, you asked for two.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that on the 5th, he was recalled – and this is a very serious matter –; on Friday 06, this non-executive chairman calls at the office at seven, had his own key, and in his office, a shredder.

Do not! You are always making statements!

Is he aware? It is a question that he had…

Is he aware of that?

That he had his own key and a shredder and that on Friday 06, he was given unsupervised access to the Tourism Authority, and he has done God knows what, for I do not know how long! On the eve, he had been revoked, and there was an inquiry that would be instituted a few hours later. Is he aware that he had his key and access to a shredder in his office and was left unsupervised on 06 March?

Of course, Madam Speaker, I am aware! I was fully aware. Yes, I confirm that Mr J.A. refused to hand over his keys and other Tourism Authority property. Needful is being done to recover the property of the Tourism Authority. But I must say on the other side, Madam Speaker, that my Ministry in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office in setting up an enquiry. The enquiry will be done.

Yes, we have to wait.

We will have to wait.

Yes, wait for the enquiry. Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Minister inform the House why he was maintained at his position despite all those numerous accusations? Thank you.

We knew about it, but he never came to the office when we called him. I talked to him several times on the phone and he was always outside the country. He was not even listening to the Minister. So, for my part, I do not want to sub judice the matter, given that an enquiry is being contemplated. Let us wait for the enquiry and then we see.

Yes!

One last question.

Yes, there is a question there. It was asked before.

Can I ask the hon. Minister if the day Mr J.A. came back to office, after his reintegration, was he involved in an incident? If yes, what was the nature of that incident? Thank you.

On the day that he came back.

Yes, indeed, Madam Speaker, I am informed that there was an incident on Friday 06 March 2026. Mr J.A. came on the premises of the Tourism Authority and yelled at the director and other employees. The part-time Chairperson even aliterated some unpleasant words. The issue was on his insistence to his access to images of CCTV camera of the organisation, which I have in my possession. And this is the key to everything!

Which you are not giving us for the moment. An hon. Member: Not yet, Madam Speaker.

Maybe you will give it to those who will enquire, I suppose.

Exactly.

Yes, hon. Mr A. Duval!

Madam Speaker, given the influence of the super non-executive chairman he has wielded in the past, in view of the numerous complaints that had been made against him and the fact that no action had been taken prior, is he satisfied with how senior members of Government have come to whitewash those complaints in the news even before an investigation provides its findings, and even commenting on what he believed to be the accusations and its seriousness? Is the hon. Minister satisfied given that these are employees falling under an authority, under his responsibility, that due process has been followed in this matter?

I already took decisions that had to be taken, Madame la présidente. But what I want to say is I cannot be judge and party even before having the findings of the enquiry.

Yes.

I cannot be.

I think we have gone quite thoroughly in this issue. May I ask the next question, please! MV WAKASHIO SHIPWRECK – VICTIMS COMPENSATION