The Savannah Connected Countryside project, consisting of a Smart Village in the heart of an agricultural territory with the ambition to preserve its rural identity while being at the cutting edge of technology, was launched, yesterday in Gros Bois, in presence of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.
The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano, the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, the Executive Director of ENL Group, Mr Hector Espitalier-Noël, and other eminent personalities were present on this occasion.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth highlighted that the Savannah Connected Countryside Project is in line with Government’s vision concerning innovation and sustainable development. He recalled that ENL Group launched the Moka Smart City back in 2017 under the Smart City Scheme, and commended the Group for its numerous initiatives across the island.
The Prime Minister observed that the Savannah Connected Countryside Project will be a smart village with a unique cachet, connected and fully integrated with nature. This project, he underscored, will also enable more economic activities to be carried out in the southern region of Mauritius.
Furthermore, he indicated that more that Rs 21 billion have been invested during the last five years for the construction of some 12 Smart Cities, while some other four similar projects will be launched by end of 2022. He also remarked that all projects currently being undertaken by Government, whether alone or in public-private partnerships, aim at enhancing the quality of life of citizens while ensuring sustainable development in Mauritius.
Before concluding, Prime Minister Jugnauth commended ENL Group for the Savannah Connected Countryside project and wished the Group the best in this endeavour.
For his part, Mr Espitalier-Noël underlined that the Savannah Connected Countryside Project, which obtained its Smart City Certificate, will comprise a residential and mixed-use precinct, central business district offices and retail outlets, a business park, a light industrial zone, offices, tiny forests, cycling tracks, and green spaces, among others.
The Project, he stated, to the tune of some Rs 18 billion, will span across some 440 arpents and will be implemented over the next 20 years. Some 125 houses, as well as a pre-primary and a primary school have already been constructed, he added.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in the next five years and will require an investment of some Rs 500 million.
