Madam Speaker, the construction of new drains by local authorities is carried out in close collaboration with the Land Drainage Authority, which is a principal technical body responsible for the for identifying priority areas, approving drainage design and ensuring that all project comply with the required engineering, safety and standard before implementation. For the financial year 2025-2026, the Land Drainage Authority submitted a list of proposed drainage projects to local authorities on 24 October 2025. Following the submission and revision of cost estimates by local authorities, the overall estimated cost for the drainage project nationwide was revised to approximately Rs993 million and submitted to the Ministry of Finance on 11 March 2026. I am informed that the Ministry of Finance subsequently indicated that the request would be considered under the budget exercise 2026-2027. Madam Speaker, with regard to the Municipal Council of Vacoas-Phoenix, I am informed that although no new drain construction works have yet commenced since September 2025, substantial preparatory, technical and administrative works have already been undertaken. I am informed that consultancy services for detailed design of drainage infrastructure at 11 priority sites within the township were awarded to GIBB (Mauritius) Ltd for a contract value of Rs2.8 million inclusive of VAT. The consultancy includes hydrological and topographical studies, flood risk assessment, hydraulic calculation, preparation of detailed drawings and specifications, cost estimates, and bidding documents to ensure that drains are properly designed to address both present and future flooding risk. The initial design report submitted by GIBB (Mauritius) Ltd on 05 August 2024 was referred to the Land Drainage Authority for technical approval. Thereafter, several technical meetings and consultations were held between the Municipal Council and the Land Drainage Authority and the consultant following request for further clarification and amendments. Following additional consultations held on 17 December 2025, 29 April 2026, and on 07 May 2026, revised report was resubmitted to the Land Drainage Authority, subsequently to convey it’s no objection, subject to certain technical condition for implementation at the 11 sites concerned. In parallel, the Municipal Council has also initiated internal survey and design works for additional drainage project which are expected to be completed by 31 July 2026. Madam Speaker, I wish to emphasise that construction works cannot proceed before obtaining the necessary technical approval of the Land Drainage Authority together with the required financial clearance. Drainage infrastructure projects involve important engineering, flood management and public safety consideration and all procedures must therefore, be properly complied with before implementation. I am further informed that on 12 May 2026, the Municipal Council was requested to finalise the bidding documents and revise the estimates for the 11 priority sites so that implementation may proceed once all approvals and financial clearance are obtained. I also wish to reassure the hon. Member and the House that the delay is not due to unwillingness or inaction on the part of the Municipal Council but rather to the needs to comply with all technical, procedural and financial requirements applicable to major drainage infrastructure projects. My Ministry remain fully committed to ensuring that these projects are implemented in a proper, sustainable and effective manner for the long-term benefit of the residents of Vacoas-Phoenix. I am tabling all relevant information concerning the drain project sites and the amended cost estimate as per report submitted by GIBB Mauritius Ltd of each site for the benefit of the House.

Yes. All right.! Hon. Beejan, if we can do it within two minutes, it would be fine? Yes. All right. CONSTITUENCY NO. 6 – DRAIN PROJECTS – JULY 2025 TO MAY 2026