A policy dialogue meeting between the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, and the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, in view of the preparation of the 2024-2025 Budget was held, yesterday evening, in Port Louis.
Outlining the priorities of the Local Government, Dr Husnoo stressed the need to enhance meteorological services, disaster management, and fire services. He recalled that during discussions with Dr Padayachy, the bolstering of these sectors through facility upgrades and reinforcement was proposed. Moreover, he highlighted the importance of taking preventive measures to prepare for future challenges and adversities.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, Dr Husnoo outlined the substantial financing required to improve and fortify drainage systems. Given the prevalent adverse weather conditions and flash flood risks, proactive steps are imperative, he added.
Another Policy Dialogue meeting was with the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin, and the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy.
Minister Balgobin underlined that he had a very fruitful meeting with Dr Padayachy adding that the latter was very attentive to the propositions put forth by his Ministry. He said that the propositions focused mainly on measures aimed at accelerating the digitalisation process across Mauritius and transforming it into a Digital Hub.
The main objective of Government, he said, is to digitalise all sectors of the country so as to ease the lives of citizens.
Dr Renganaden Padayachy, also met the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Mr Alan Ganoo. The later said that consultations with the Finance Minister focused on priority measures for his Ministry such as road safety and the renewal of the bus fleet.
He recalled that Government has invested massively in road infrastructure, sensitisation campaigns, education and dissemination of road safety tips through social media. He further highlighted that a Road Safety curriculum has been introduced in schools adding that students as from Grade 1 are being sensitised on road safety by some 700 trained Educators.
Minister Ganoo indicated that last year, some 1,000 drivers were tested positive for drugs, and 3,000 drivers for alcohol consumption while driving. He likewise said that excessive speeding was one of the main reasons of fatal accidents.
He similarly dwelt on the pressing issue of fleet renewal of buses in the transport sector.
