Madam Speaker, let me say it from the outset that Rodrigues is not an afterthought in our blue economy agenda but rather a priority. Rodrigues, as a partner, is a living laboratory of innovation, resilience and opportunity. I wish to inform the hon. Member that the Blue Economy Roadmap Consultative Workshop was held under the purview of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries. My Ministry was not the lead convener for that workshop. However, that does not mean that my Ministry has left Rodrigues aside. Through the Higher Education Commission, the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council and the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd, my Ministry is already supporting Rodrigues through concrete, measurable and ongoing actions. Madam Speaker, on research investment during the five-year period ending in 2025, the MRIC supported 19 research and innovation projects in Rodrigues across blue economy, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, mobilising approximately Rs14.6 million in project value. That is not only symbolism but investment. These projects include the – • Underwater Marine Eco-trail, supporting sustainable marine tourism; • marine ecosystem studies by Shoals Rodrigues; • the Road Blue Forward Initiative by Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd, and • scientific work by Ter-Mer Rodriguez on lagoon dynamics and the socioeconomic implications of sand extraction. Madam Speaker, on stakeholder partnership, the MRIC has signed an MOU with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and operates a dedicated Rodrigues branch anchored on the ground, close to Rodriguan realities. Through the Assises de la Recherche et de l’innovation 2.0, conducted jointly with the RRA, five innovation grants, totalling Rs4.99 million have been awarded with eight further applications currently under review. Rodrigues is not being asked simply to receive policy but Rodrigues is being empowered to shape it. On infrastructure, the MRIC is developing the Rodrigues Blue Innovation Hub to support marine research, seafood value addition, SME development and ecosystem monitoring, building on existing SEMPA facilities and the MRIC branch. At the scientific frontier, MIBL’s Blue Reef Proposal targets climate resilient coral reef restoration through marine genomics, bioprospecting and local coral nurseries, offering Rodriguan researchers, fishers and young people hands-on training in cutting edge science. On human capital, 624 Rodriguan students are currently enrolled in our higher education institution, out of which, 589 in publicly funded institution. They are building the very expertise that will drive Rodrigues’ own blue economy future. Madam Speaker, collaboration with Rodrigues Regional Assembly is not only envisaged, it is already happening. It is already producing results and it will be further strengthened because Rodrigues must not stand at the edge of the blue economy but rather be at its heart.

Yes, happy? Good! Yes?

Madam Speaker, let me just put a supplementary.

(Interruptions)

Lui il se fait entendre ! Voilà!

I thank the hon. Minister for the answer to this pertinent question. Will the hon. Minister confirm whether his Ministry will collaborate with the MRIC to reinforce the suboffice thereat, so that we have many more researchers, many more human resources?

Definitely, as you are aware we had a fire there. So, we are ensuring the Rodrigues branch of MRIC which will soon become the branch of NRII, will be consolidated with additional officers.

Okay, good. Now, we leave Rodrigues? No, we do not. The hon. Second Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUES – LAND DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT PROJECTS