Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-03-27 08:00:21
With a series of Speaker’s Announcements opening the session, no formal mention in the Hansard of the resignation of former Minister Vikram Hurdoyal.
The Leader of the Opposition measures VPM Husnoo in the issue of compensation for the victims of the Belal floods on January 15.
The first part of the resumption of the National Assembly session literally turned into an observation round between the government and opposition benches. However, with the shadow of the former Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, Navin Ramgoolam, looming in the hemicycle. Indeed, in response to a parliamentary questioning by Arianne Navarre-Marie of MMM about the introduction of Morisian Creole in Parliament, the Prime Minister and Leader of the House, Pravind Jugnauth, felt it necessary to refer to a previous statement by Navin Ramgoolam against Morisian Creole and provoke a quickly controlled political adrenaline rush. Otherwise, until the start of debates on bills later in the day, very little of note had been on the agenda.
Nevertheless, political observers noted that the Speaker, Sooroojdev Phokeer, who had made three Announcements at the opening of yesterday’s session, had a significant oversight. At no point in the Hansard will there be a formal mention of the resignation of the former Minister of Agro-Industry and elected at the top of the list in the Montagne-Blanche/Grande-Rivière-Sud-Est constituency (No 10), Vikram Hurdoyal, in the general elections of November 7, 2019. This resignation had the effect of precipitating the end of the current government’s mandate, with legislative elections, scheduled for this year, well before the National Assembly stands dissolved under the terms of the Constitution on November 21.
However, the National Assembly paid tribute to the memory of the former Private Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy of Curepipe/Midlands (No 17), Eric Guimbeau, who was killed in a road accident on March 6. Then there was the formal welcome of the new Assistant Clerk of the National Assembly, Prishnee Naika-Cahaneea, the election of Ashley Ittoo as Deputy Chairman of Committees, the choice of Abbas Salim Abbas-Mamode to head the ICAC parliamentary committee, an institution set to disappear with the operation of the Financial Crimes Commission, the selection of Sanjeev Kumar Nuckcheddy for the Public Accounts Committee. All this without forgetting the reprimand of the day given to Eshan Juman, Arvin Boolell, and Farhad Aumeer for protesting in the press against the rejection of their parliamentary questions. And also against the Whip, Patrice Armance, for his comments on the timing of the delivery of the Order Paper. But nothing about the vacant seat left in the hemicycle by Vikram Hurdoyal’s resignation.
Thus, the first PNQ of the parliamentary session by the Leader of the Opposition, Xavier-Luc Duval, was addressed to the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Administrations, and focused on the damages caused by Cyclone Belal, which hit the country on January 15. The VPM extensively discussed the trajectory of the meteorite, before stating that, according to the police services, 4,365 Disaster Assistance Forms were issued. Furthermore, various works have been undertaken by the municipality, the National Development Unit, and the Road Development Unit concerning drains in Port Louis.
“The works, which continue in various regions of Port Louis, concern drains, particularly Raoul Rivet Street and along the Pouce Creek. Walls have been raised along the creek, and a good portion of the slabs covering the river has been demolished,” said Anwar Husnoo. Works are also underway in Monneron, Canal-Dayot, and Montagne-des-Signaux. Cleaning works have also been initiated in rivers.
The VPM also mentioned the evacuation protocol of downtown Port Louis, which has been tested several times with planned deviations by the police.
LD: We know that a cyclone is directly threatening Mauritius at the end of the week. Citizens dread what could happen. My first question concerns the damage to houses. You explained that the police issued some 4,365 forms, and that’s not the question. I asked you how many houses were damaged. Do you know how many cars were damaged? Have you conducted a study regarding the losses incurred by the occupants of these houses during the cyclone?
Husnoo: That’s why I specified that the police issued 4,365 Disaster Assistance Forms. People usually go to the police station to report the damages to their houses. From there, we know how many houses are affected and how many people have lost their property and food, and we act accordingly…
LD: Do these 4,365 forms cover the whole country? Can you table the document in the Assembly?
Husnoo: I have just received these figures…
LD: Based on districts?
Husnoo: No, I don’t have that.
LD: My question is that car owners, who are usually more financially comfortable, 1,800 of them were investigated and compensated for over Rs 200 million for the damages to their cars. However, the poorer people had their houses, appliances, and furniture completely destroyed or washed away by the waters. How do you explain that the government did not find the necessary funds to compensate the poor?
Husnoo: I explained that we have about 4,000 people who contacted the police. The government has acted on this. Many people who had their houses damaged or their provisions affected have been supported by Social Security. Are you aware that a cyclone allowance of Rs 250 is granted per person per night for a duration of three days in social centers? You have not been able to provide this assistance, you cannot speak. At this point, 392 families have received help. In addition, a food allowance has been granted to 3,709 families for an amount of Rs 6.4 million. Food packs have been distributed to people who lost their provisions. No less than 3,008 people have received food packs. The government is assisting those who suffered losses during the cyclone.
LD: I must remind the Vice-Prime Minister that, during the floods of 2013, an allowance of Rs 100,000, vouchers, and gifts had been given to those who suffered losses due to the floods. My question is not about the Rs 1,000 granted to families; it concerns those who lost their appliances, washing machines, clothes, and furniture. These people lost hundreds of thousands of rupees. In our government, we paid Rs 100,000 to these people ten years ago, and that is worth Rs 200,000 today. What have you done, apart from the crumbs you have given to the victims? Obviously, the big cake went to the car owners. This is a question of putting cars first, putting people last.
Husnoo: I have already explained that a certain number of people went to the police. Investigations are ongoing.
LD: I repeat, the Vice-Prime Minister is unable to tell us what compensation has been awarded to people who have lost everything and had their houses destroyed…
Husnoo: I explained that 4,365 people contacted the police. Not everyone has received an allowance yet. We have to wait. According to my information, 3,850 families have been supported so far. We have to wait…
LD: The Cabinet press release mentions 83 people on the social ministry’s records. The poorest people in the country are supposed to be investigated and compensated. Does the VPM know that not a single family has been contacted or received assistance from the NEF in the past two months?
Husnoo: I explained that the Ministry of Social Security is taking care of these people. It is the Ministry of Social Security, not the Ministry of Regional Administrations, that is handling this issue.
LD: I read in the press that the FSC CEO was dismissed because he could not compensate more than 200 car owners. It is strange that in the case of these people, no action has been taken.
Regarding the drains. I visited Montagne des Signaux yesterday and I will circulate a video of the floods coming from the mountain invading La Bourdonnais Street and Desroches Street on January 15. I visited this location and was shocked to see that there has been no intervention on the drain system since that date. The only thing that has been done is the construction of a wall to beautify the area. Why, in this urgent situation, has nothing been done yet?
Husnoo: Before the cyclone, a lot of work had been done. The work did not start after the cyclone, but in August or September last year. After the cyclone, a lot of damage was caused to the riverbeds. Many damages were reported, a lot of dirt was collected in rivers across the country… Government institutions have conducted visits. Can we move forward and award contracts? There needs to be tenders and evaluation before moving ahead. We have a list of regions where work has been done. We cannot take one site and say that nothing has been done. We need to look at the country as a whole. It takes time. I also visited these places. I am aware of the damages caused to the rivers.
LD: Who asked about the riverbeds? The question concerns Montagne-des-Signaux and the water flowing in the region. The mountain drain needs urgent review and rehabilitation, as the deterioration of the lives of thousands of people who work and live in Port Louis, as well as the damage caused to vehicles, will recur if there is another flood in the capital.
Husnoo: I reiterate that it is not just Port Louis. Many works have been done, are being done, and will be done.
LD: Regarding the evacuation, the VPM will agree that if there was an evacuation plan, my office on Newton Street, we would have known what that plan was. We need to know which way to take. That’s why I ask you to table the new evacuation plan you have so that people like me can evacuate Port Louis safely in case of a flood, which may occur due to climate change…
Husnoo: I explained in my response that we have a protocol. In case of heavy rain, the police are aware of the most sensitive regions, such as La Poudrière Street and Caudan, to divert traffic. I have already explained all this. The protocol was applied during Belal’s passing.
LD: Hundreds of cars were damaged, as well as houses. Thank you for your evacuation plan, which is a disaster. On your ministry’s website, it is stated that regarding Flood-Prone Areas, 480 sites have been identified, with 56 considered Life-Threatening and crucial. This plan is kept secret and has not been published. Don’t you think the population has the right to know which are these 56 sites identified as dangerous?
AH: We know where these sites are and we have worked on that. The work is done.
Speaker: Time over!
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
