Madam Speaker, following the last general elections, the portfolio of maintenance of road traffic signs and road markings has been entrusted to my Ministry. As per section 28 of the Roads Act, the maintenance of existing traffic signs and road markings falls under the purview of the highway authority, that is, the Road Development Authority for classified roads and that of local authorities for urban and rural roads – road C, for example. Concurrently, maintenance of road signs is currently undertaken by the RDA, the local authorities and TRMSU of my Ministry. Accordingly, I have been informed that the RDA had carried out inspections on roads falling under its purview in the district of Grand Port covering also Constituency No.12 and it has been observed that out of some 233 traffic signs,78 were found to be defective, either damage or faded. In August 2025, works order for the amount of Rs1.075 million was granted by the RDA under the framework agreement for maintenance and minor works for the reinstatement of traffic signs. As at date, all the 78 defective traffic signs have been replaced. Madam Speaker, according to information obtained from the Ministry of Local Government, 250 defective or worn-out road signs have been surveyed by the District Council of Grand Port are non-classified within its administrative jurisdiction of Constituency No.12. The estimated costs for the replacement of these road signs and posts amounts to Rs248,000. Works which will be undertaken by the in-house labour of the District Council Grand Port are expected to be completed within three months subject to funds being made available. Madam Speaker, I am further informed by the TMRSU that the latter has worked out a road safety inspection report, whereby the following roads within Constituency No. 12 have been included for maintenance of traffic signs by the TMRSU – (i) A10 – Phoenix to Plaisance Road: 24.4 kilometres; (ii) B81 – Junction Road: 3.3 kilometres; (iii) B7 – Deux Bras Road: 10.5 kilometres, and (iv) La Barraque Road: 13.2 kilometres. My Ministry has already approached the Ministry of Finance for the required funding to be made available in the next financial year, for implementation of these projects. Also to avoid duplication of works, the Local Authorities, RDA and TMRSU hold joint site visits to agree on the appropriate course of action to be undertaken. I have to also stress Madam Speaker, that the maintenance of road signs is an ongoing exercise to ensure road safety and proper traffic management. Signs are often damaged due to road accidents and in some cases, acts of vandalism. I have also therefore requested the TMRSU to carry out regular inspections and initiate prompt repairs to keep signage visible, legible and effective at all times.

Yes?

Je remercie le ministre. Comme le ministre vient de le dire, il y a une grosse confusion même parmi les députés pour savoir quelle route doit être faite par le District Council, quelle route doit être faite par le TMRSU. Est-ce qu’à l’avenir nous pourrons discuter avec les autorités concernées pour faire qu’une seule autorité qui s’occupe des signs sur la route ? Parce que là on parle des accidents qui arrivent souvent, parce qu’on ne sait pas si c’est le District Council ou TMRSU qui doit s’occuper des road signs. Merci.

Yes, hon. Minister.

Yes, you mentioned TMRSU and Local Authorities but there is also the RDA. I tend to agree with you but ultimately, my Ministry is responsible for coordination because like I said, after the elections of 2024, this portfolio has been entrusted to my Ministry.

The question was how are people going to deal with this, given that there are three different. How do they give? Through you? Through the Ministry?

Ministry of Land Transport.

Through the Ministry, you have got it. Okay, maybe we can have one last question, hon. Third Member for Rodrigues! Yes, hon. Ms Henriette-Manan? MAURITIUS FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE & RODRIGUES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE – FIREFIGHTERS – TRANSFER REQUESTS