Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Municipal Council of Vacoas- Phoenix that the river running adjacent to the Camp Fouquereaux Football Ground is River Plaines Wilhems. With regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that a site inspection was carried out on 03 December 2025 in the presence of the Local Disaster Management Coordinator, officers of the Public Health and Public Infrastructure Department and Municipal Councillor. During that inspection, the port of the river extending from the Shri Shambhoonath Temple to the M2 Motorway covering approximately 600 metres and including the stretch adjacent to the Camp Fouquereaux Football Ground was thoroughly examined. The river was found to be clean and free flowing and no desilting works were deemed necessary at that time. Furthermore, the Land Drainage Authority (LDA) has confirmed on 13 March 2026 following the review of the site observation and photographic evidence submitted by the Council that the specific stretch of the river does not require additional desilting works at present and that routine cleaning operations are sufficient to maintain proper water flow. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, the most recent cleaning exercise at that location was carried out by the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix from 26 to 30 January 2026. This exercise included the removal of vegetation, cutting of grass and shrubs and the clearing of fallen trees and waste, in order to ensure the unobstructed flow of water and prevent any risk of flooding. Madam Speaker, I am further informed that rivers within the Municipal jurisdiction are maintained on a regular cycle of six to eight weeks and the next cleaning exercise was that stretched in schedule for 16 March 2026 in line with the Council’s Maintenance Programme. As regard desilting works, the last desilting operation for River Plaines Wilhems covering approximately 3.26 kms, including the stretch adjacent to the Camp Fouquereaux Football Ground was carried out between 03 March 2025 and 14 April 2025 in accordance with the technical specification and guidelines of the LDA. An assessment of rivers within the municipal area was also conducted in December 2025 and January 2026 in preparation for further maintenance work. Financial clearance has already been conveyed to the Municipal Council for desilting operation for the Financial Year 2025-2026 and bids received following the tender exercise which closed on 06 March 2026 are currently under evaluation. Madam Speaker, I am also informed that the Council has sought the technical advice of the Geotechnical Unit of the Ministry of National Infrastructure as excessive desilting in certain location may potentially lead to erosion or instability of river banks. The technical site visit is scheduled on 20 March 2026 to determine whether any further engineering intervention may be required. In the meantime, the Municipal Council will continue regular monitoring and routine cleaning of the rivers to ensure free and safe water flow at all times in line with the recommendations of the LDA. Thank you.

Yes, Mr Lobine!

Madam Speaker, one supplementary! May I ask the hon. Minister, whether he would consider a site visit, a constat de visu with all stakeholders, especially with regards to the river banks? The last time that those river banks were revamped, was when hon. Bhagwan was Minister of Environment in 2000 and the river banks in almost all the rivers within this locality, even at Quinze Cantons is in a very deplorable state. Yes, they do cleaning but the river banks are in a very deplorable state. If you could arrange for a site visit with all stakeholders, with the Junior Minister, with Minister Assirvaden, you will see de visu that this is not the case with regard to the river banks, whether you would consider same?

Madam Speaker, in this regard, I am agreeable to carry out a site visit with all the stakeholders including with the representatives of the Municipal Council, even the Land Drainage Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forestry Division and other concerned stakeholders to assess and in the safety of the communities. So, for the time being, I have a picture which was sent by the Council that the river is clean. So, never mind, we can make a site visit with all the others and ministers also. Thank you.

You have a picture but it’s only for you. Never mind. Hon. Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! FISHERMEN CARDS – APPLICATIONS & ISSUANCE – SWIMMING TESTS