Highlights Of Cabinet Meeting – Thursday 09 March 2023

The Cabinet met today under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. The highlights of the deliberations are as follows:

1. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius participating in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), on a voluntary basis as from the year 2024. CORSIA is meant to offer a harmonised way to reduce emissions from international aviation, minimising market distortion, while respecting the special circumstances and respective capabilities of Member Through this scheme, airlines would compensate their international flights carbon dioxide emissions on CORSIA routes (route between two participating States) by purchasing carbon units. A carbon unit is a credit, equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide emitted which an airline would purchase to compensate for the carbon dioxide emission generated by its fleet of aircraft.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport has been awarded the Best Airport – Africa Region 2022 for the second consecutive year by the Airports Council International. The rankings of the Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Programme (category of 2 to 5 million passengers) were released on 06 March 2023.
3. Cabinet has taken note that the 13^th Session of the Mauritius-Seychelles Commission on Bilateral Cooperation would be hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Seychelles during the first week of April 2023. The Ministerial meeting would be held on 06 April 2023 and would be preceded by a Senior Officials meeting on 03 and 04 April 2023.
4. Cabinet has taken note that a scenario-based simulation exercise would be organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as well as a sensitisation workshop on trafficking in persons (TIP) from 20 to 22 March 2023 at the Police Training School in Mauritius. The purpose of this exercise would be to assess the functionality of national anti-trafficking in persons legislation and gaps in national coordination and cooperation in TIP cases.

The objectives of the exercise would be to assist in strengthening criminal justice responses to TIP and would include providing advice, tools and resources to harmonise and strengthen national anti-TIP and other relevant legislation. It would also sensitise criminal justice practitioners, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors and first line responders on TIP.

5. Cabinet has taken note of the draft Roadmap submitted by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator for the preparation of the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Mauritius for the period 2024 to 2028 and the hosting of the Government – United Nations Strategic Prioritisation Retreat by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator on 20 and 21 March 2023 in Mauritius with a view to undertaking consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
6. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security hosting an International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Technical Committee Meeting on Animal and Zoonotic Diseases from 20 to 24 March 2023. The meeting would strengthen the capacities of National Veterinary Laboratories for the Early Warning, Control and Prevention of Outbreaks of Animal and Zoonotic Diseases. The objective of the Technical Meeting would be to impart capacity to some 20 participants from African Member States.
7. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security would organise ‘Les Assises de l’Agriculture’, in collaboration with the Economic Development Board, from 16 to 20 March 2023 at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.

The event, under the theme ‘Pathways to a Sustainable Food System for a Healthier Tomorrow’ would comprise a two-day Symposium as well as a five-day exhibition with 197 stands showcasing local agricultural produce along with demonstrations of best agricultural practices being adopted in Mauritius. A shuttle service would be provided from Port Louis and Réduit to enable the public at large to visit the sale exhibition.

8. Cabinet has agreed to the construction of a Flyover on Motorway M1 at La Vigie – La Brasserie – Beaux Songes Link Road by the Road Development Authority to improve the connection with the new link road.
9. Cabinet has taken note that:
   • major construction works would be carried near the Shell Filling Station along the Moka-Camp de Masque-Flacq A7 Road at Saint Pierre. The stretch of the Moka- Camp de Masque-Flacq A7 Road between the Vivea Roundabout and the Shell Filling Station would be closed to traffic from 18 to 20 March 2023 from 2100 hours until 0400 hours the next day;
   • a traffic diversion scheme would be implemented in connection with the excavation and drain construction works across the Motorway M1 near the Nouvelle France Roundabout from 14 March to 30 April 2023;
   • road excavation works along the Flic en Flac B34 Road, near Cascavelle Mall, would be undertaken from 15 to 23 March 2023. One lane of the Flic en Flac B34 Road would be temporarily closed during the night from 2000 hours to 0500 hours the next Traffic would be diverted and channelled along the other lane;
   • rehabilitation and sewerage works would be carried out at Residence Atlee and surrounding areas. A segment of Sir Winston Churchill Street, Curepipe would be partially closed to traffic and a traffic diversion scheme would be put in place for a period of four weeks from 15 March 2023;
   • a new road layout would be implemented along B102 Road at La Marie, at the junction with the new La Vigie-La Brasserie Beaux Songes Link. The works would be carried out for a period of one month with effect from 15 March 2023; and
   • geotechnical investigation works would be carried out at different locations along the Mahebourg-Flacq (B28) Road, from Rivière des Créoles to Grand Sable. One lane along the Mahebourg-Flacq (B28) Road would be closed at various locations from 15 March to 23 April 2023, between 0800 hours to 1600 hours.

Traffic signs would be placed and police assistance would also be provided to guide road users.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in As at 07 March 2023, there were 28 active cases of COVID-19, out of which six were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. Over the period of 02 to 07 March 2023, no death has been directly attributed to COVID-19.
11. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Statutory Bodies Family Protection Fund with Dr Dhanandjay Kawol, Acting Senior Chief Executive, as part time Chairperson.
12. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Council of the National Social Inclusion Foundation with Mr Medavy Pillay Munien as part time Chairperson.