Some Rs 1 billion will be invested in the construction of desalination plants in Rodrigues by the Mauritius Investment Corporation to further address the long-standing water shortage in the island.
This announcement was made, today, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in his address to Members of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) in Port Mathurin. He is in Rodrigues since 28 August 2022 to launch several projects and to have working sessions with the Chief Commissioner and Members of the RRA.
He highlighted that improving water production, storage, and distribution with a view to enabling all Rodriguans to have access to adequate water on a more regular basis remains a priority for the Government. The new measure, he said, will comprise the construction of desalination plants which will be strategically located at Anse Quittor, Baie Malgache, Pointe Venus, Pointe Cotton, and Songe.
Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that Government has always provided full support to the RRA to implement various measures and projects towards solving water issues in the island, including the construction of five desalination plants, the setting up of the Observatoire de l’Eau, the development of the Rodrigues Water Resources Strategy, and the definition of a Priority Action Plan. Moreover, he indicated that an amount of Rs 36.3 million has been provided in the budget of the RRA for the construction and upgrading of reservoirs, dams, and boreholes adding that the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme for all eligible households will be renewed.
He further dwelt on several key projects and initiatives which are expected to trigger major financial, socio-economic, and cultural development of Rodrigues with a dynamic economic growth and promote a shift from a traditional economy to a modern one.
He spoke about the construction of a new runway at Plaine Corail Airport which will enable the development and the diversification of economic activities on the island as well as further improve air connectivity, boost tourism development, and enhance socio-economic conditions. He highlighted that negotiations are underway by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development with a view to contracting a loan to finance the construction of the runway.
Furthermore, Mr Jugnauth stated that a Technopark is being constructed at Baladirou to promote entrepreneurship and employment in the field of ICT. The contract for the construction of the Technopark project was awarded to Laxmanbhai & Co (Mauritius) Ltd on 08 January 2021 for Rs 255 million and construction works have already started in February 2021 for a duration of 18 months. An amount of Rs 125 million is being provided for the completion of this project in early 2023, he added.
Other projects include Operationalisation of a Slaughter House to the tune of some Rs 20 million and refurbishment of the existing building at Baie Diamant to allow the slaughtering of cattle, goat, and sheep according to norms; extension of all schemes for the agricultural and livestock sector to Rodrigues for which Rs 5 million have been earmarked; and extension of subsidy on Special Rodrigues Holiday Package and on Airfare up to September 2023.
Acknowledging the need to further boost up economic development on the island, Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that it is also imperative to address the issue of the cost of freight between Mauritius and Rodrigues. In this respect, the 20 % rebate on the cost of freight between Mauritius and Rodrigues announced last year has been maintained, he said. Moreover, he pointed out that in a bid to increase competitiveness of local manufacturing products, exports from Rodrigues to Mauritius will also benefit from the Freight Rebate Scheme and the Trade Promotion and Marketing Scheme managed by the Economic Development Board.
Speaking about his commitment for the continued development of Rodrigues, he recalled that several developmental projects have been implemented, namely the availability of fibre optic for high speed internet, the re-designing of the port infrastructure, the construction of the first TechnoPark at Baladirou, and the future construction of a new runway at the airport of Plaine Corail so as to modernise the economic infrastructure of the island and to further improve the standard of living of the population.
He also stated that Government has provided in this financial year, an amount of Rs 4,79 billion of which some Rs 4.63 billion in the budget of the RRA, Rs 100 million from the COVID-19 Projects Development Fund for the funding of track roads and Rs 60 million from the National Environment and Climate Change Fund for the implementation of environmental projects.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to review and update the ten-year Sustainable and Integrated Development Plan for Rodrigues Report of 2009 in the light of the changing environment of the island. The aim of such an integrated plan, he said, is to contribute to employment creation, poverty reduction, and improved standard of living while making sustainable use and conservation of the environmental and natural resources of Rodrigues.
He added that funds have been made available by the European Union under the Technical Cooperation Facility for the updating of the ten-year Strategic Plan, the Sustainable Integrated Development Plan for Rodrigues along with a Five Year costed Action Plan; the Tourism Development Plan for Rodrigues which dates back to 2001; and the Rodrigues Physical Development Strategy and Land Use Plan dating to 2010. The Contract for this assignment has been awarded to COWI Belgium and the final deliverables are expected to be submitted by December 2022, he said.
Speaking about the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy of Rodrigues, he highlighted that Government has been very sensitive to the plight of Rodriguans who were stranded in Mauritius due to the suspension of flights to Rodrigues. He however recalled that financial assistance was provided to all those residents of Rodrigues who were stranded in Mauritius and who were in dire need. Accordingly, around Rs 2,100,000 had been disbursed to 210 heads of households and pending the resumption of commercial flights, 19 repatriation flights to Rodrigues had been affected and around 1,175 passengers stranded in Mauritius have been repatriated for the period 01 July to 24 December 2021, he indicated.
Programme of Visit
During his visit on the island, Prime Minister Jugnauth attended the opening ceremony of the new Departure Lounge and Duty-Free Shop at Plaine Corail Airport and laid the foundation stone of the Rodrigues Duty Free Paradise Warehouse and Office Complex. He also laid the foundation stone of the Bank of Mauritius Building at Port Mathurin; and launched the MBC Channels and the CSU Radio Programme at Citronelle.
He furthermore had fruitful sessions with the Chief Commissioner and Members of the Executive Council. Discussions focused on priority sectors like water, tourism, the airport, port, ICT sector, renewable energy, and bio agriculture.
The Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth addressed the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. An occasion to go back to the different discussion, he had with the authorities there. The Pm remind us that this visit follow an invitation of Chief Commissioner made during the latter visit in Mauritius. At the same time, Pravind Jugnauth thank the people of Rodrigues for the very warm welcome they have extended to him and to his delegation since their arrival on Sunday. He added that he cherished Rodrigues very much and as he said at the airport, “Rodrigues is close to my heart”.
As this is his first visit since the regional elections held on 27 February 2022, the PM seized this opportunity to congratulate the elected members on both sides of the House and to also convey his best wishes to the Regional Assembly in fulfilling the aspirations of our Rodriguan brothers and sisters.
The Prime minister recalled having a very fruitful session with the Chief Commissioner and Members of the Executive Council on Monday. Discussions were about priority sectors like water, tourism, the airport, port, ICT sector, renewable energy, and bio agriculture.
Chief Commissioner thanks Prime Minister for his visit to Rodrigues
The Chief Commissioner says it is an honour and a privilege for Rodriguans to have the Prime Minister visit Rodrigues.
On February 27, the regional election was held, and the people of Rodrigues wanted change. Today, there is a new government and a new team. We have been in power for six months and we assure you that we will complete our five-year mandate. I thank the Government of Mauritius for their support.
He also thanked the Prime Minister for receiving them during their mission in Mauritius. He hopes that the government will support the regional government as they have done before.
I thank the Prime Minister for his confidence and thank you for addressing our assembly.
