RODRIGUES – 15 MARCH 2026 TORRENTIAL RAIN – DAMAGES & REMEDIAL ACTIONS (5.43 p.m.) Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, with your permission, I will raise two matters this evening. The first one is addressed to both the hon. Prime Minister, in his capacity as Minister responsible for Rodrigues and Minister of Finance, and also to the hon. Minister of National Infrastructure and NDU, highlighting the recent torrential rain, causing severe flooding, which hit Rodrigues on Sunday 15 March. The northern road traffic movement was affected. All radiers, of course, around Rodrigues became impracticable. Worryingly, the ICU at Queen Elizabeth Hospital was inundated and evacuated. Agricultural valleys were inundated and there were landslides around a few residential properties. The problem is not anew, but the urgency to address it is now greater than ever, and some require immediate remedial measures. Madam Speaker, I will urge, in particular, the hon. Minister of National Infrastructure and the NDU, together with engineers and expert staff, to travel to Rodrigues at the earliest opportunity. A site visit is essential to see the situation at first-hand, to assess the scale and the damage, and to work closely with the Regional Assembly to determine the necessary remedial actions. Such a visit would also accelerate the implementation of the NDU, LDA and RRA identified and approved drainage projects, which I rightly proposed during my tenure as former PPS for Rodrigues. The projects were due to start by year 2022-2023 and completed by year 2024-2025 for earmarked funds of around Rs3 billion, but were, unfortunately, delayed and cancelled by the whims and caprices of people. The project comprises, amongst others, drains, Port Mathurin Phase III, including networks from Fond La Digue, Pointe Canon, Montagne Fanal and Camp du Roi, Grand Baie, Anse aux Anglais and Accacia. They also include the raising of several radiers at Diamant, Anse Pansia, Baie du Nord, Rivière Coco and Mourouk. Madam Speaker, over and above the list mentioned, emergency attention must now be given to the road and drain behind the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Crève Coeur, and the construction of a bigger culvert at Baie Lascar junction serving Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and drain bridges at Port Mathurin Phase III. So, I respectfully call upon the hon. Prime Minister to consider the authorisation of a one-off allocation or reallocation of funds so that urgent repairs, maintenance, desilting, rehabilitation and infrastructural works can be undertaken without delay. Attention must also be given to the radiers along the Songes-Anse Raffin Coastal Road as well as those located on the link coastal road from Anse Fémie, Gravier to Var Brûlé. Madam Speaker, the recent flooding has, once again, highlighted a reality, that the drainage and flood mitigation challenges in Rodrigues can no longer be delayed and postponed. The NDU must reprioritise needs, particularly in the context of the forthcoming budget proposals, in consultation with the RRA. Madam Speaker, despite the people of Rodrigues’ resilience…

Not too…

This is very important. Yes, I know. I am within…

This is adjournment matters. Don’t make a long statement!

I just want to complete the information for the benefit of House and the people of Rodrigues, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there is also a human impact. To conclude on this matter, whenever disaster events hit Rodrigues, people need to hear that their concerns are timely heard and supported. I, therefore, appeal and trust that the Central Government and the RRA will consider long-term and short-term relief measures or temporary hardship relief mechanisms or support to assist affected public in coping with the loses, and to address in a sustainable manner any flooding challenges facing Rodrigues. I thank you.

Yes, thank you for your first adjournment matter. Yes!

First of all, I express our sympathies to the people of Rodrigues. I must tell hon. François that I spoke to the Chief Commissioner the other day, yesterday, I think, or the day before. I expressed my sympathy. He explained to me exactly what you were saying. I have asked hon. Gunness, who is the Minister responsible for NDU, to go to Rodrigues to see, as you said, on site what needs to be done. I think he is going to leave, probably early next week or by the end of the week. Thank you.

Okay, your second matter! An hon. Member: Huh?

C’est la démocratie ! C’est la démocratie ! (5.48 p.m.) RODRIGUES – GYNAECOLOGICAL CARE – ADDITIONAL GYNAECOLOGISTS PROVISION Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues): Thank you. Madam Speaker, my second matter is addressed to the hon. Minister of Health, and it concerns gynaecological care in Rodrigues. At present, gynaecologists are posted in Rodrigues for a period of only one month. This means that any person having gynaecological health problem or a pregnant may be followed by as many as eight different gynaecologists during her pregnancy. Each specialist may have a different medical approach. This clearly affects the continuity and quality of care for patients. I have also been informed that upon mutual agreement, some specialists spend only 15 days in Rodrigues. One can easily understand the consequences of a situation for patients who require regular examination. Recently, there was an emergency case at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where the only gynaecologist who was supposed to consult patients at La Ferme Area Health Centre could not attend. Patients had to be sent back and their appointments re-scheduled. Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister, himself, mentioned in a previous reply, the number of caesarean cases is increasing. I am also informed that maternal deaths are showing signs of increase, even if some cases may, unfortunately, be inevitable. These situations call for urgent attention as Rodrigues currently has only one administrative structure in the health sector. Madam Speaker, Rodrigues cannot continue to rely on a gynaecological system that lacks continuity in such a critical field of health care. In my regard, I humbly request the hon. Minister to look seriously into this matter and to also consider renewing – this is very interesting – the previous agreed arrangement between his Ministry and the former OPR Regional Government to recruit gynaecologists from India. This initiative had been pursued before and proved beneficial for Rodrigues. Madam Speaker, the people of Rodrigues deserve stable and reliable gynaecological care. I rely on the usual collaboration of the hon. Minister and his Ministry. I thank you.

Yes, hon. Minister!

Madam Speaker, I am conscious that there is only one gynaecologist we are sending monthly. As a result of the introduction of 24/7 by the previous government regarding gynaecologists and paediatricians – they were bound to work for 24/7 –, this led to the resignation of dozens of such specialists from the government service. This is the reason why I see there is a big scarcity of gynaecologists and paediatricians in our hospitals. The Public Service Commission has already invited applications. I do hope we do get such specialists so that I can increase the number of specialists going to Rodrigues. At the same time, we are negotiating with the Indian authority, the Indian hospitals, and I believe that I will be able to get a few gynaecologists so that I can help you.

Here you are! Thank you very much, hon. Minister! Thank you, everybody! At 5.52 p.m. the Assembly was, on its rising, adjourned to Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 11.30 a.m.