Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-04-13 11:00:07
Pravind Jugnauth is eyeing an offensive against the leader of the PTr regarding the safes at Riverwalk, having previously implied that “saki finn trouve-la, gadzak sa”.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth will have an opportunity this Tuesday in the National Assembly to settle scores with his main challenger, the leader of the Labour Party (PTr), Navin Ramgoolam, over the Rs 220 million found at the former Prime Minister’s residence in Riverwalk during searches in early February 2015. Thus, he will set the tone for the electoral campaign. A parliamentary opportunity under the guise of immunity will open up to the leader of the MSM through the Parliamentary Question (PQ) by the Deputy Chief Whip, Joanne Tour, who is in a good position to be addressed during the Prime Minister’s Question Time for the Devid kof Ramgoolam operation.
For some time now, Pravind Jugnauth seems to have made the safes affair his main theme of attack against his direct political opponent, claiming that “mask pou tonbe ankor plis sa lane-la”. The latest political interventions by the MSM leader revolve around the Rs 220 million and USD 3 million “kram kram ek plastifie” found and seized at the Labour leader’s premises over nine years ago.
Pravind Jugnauth has repeatedly stated that Navin Ramgoolam has still not provided plausible explanations to the authorities regarding the origin of these funds. “Eski lamone bribe sa? Eski lamone koripsion sa? Sa ki finn trouve la, sa gadzak sa. Ou pou trouve pli divan. Zot pa finn zis met lame dan lakes, zot finn lev lakes lamem ek so bann tirwar,” the PM highlighted in his recent speeches in front of various regional committees of the MSM.
During his speech in Quartier-Militaire/Moka (No 8) on April 3, he asked if the population was going to “let the guard down”. He hinted that he was closely following the Rs 220 million case, which is pending before the judiciary, especially the Financial Crimes Division. Pravind Jugnauth recounted the history of this case, claiming that the former PM had been dismissed not only by the Supreme Court but also by the Privy Council. “When he was pursued, where did he go? The Supreme Court said this one must go further. He must answer in court. He went to ask for an appeal from the Privy Council. He took time for all that. As time passes, the Privy Council says go away, go to the Intermediate Court to answer. When it comes to the Financial Crimes Division Court, he takes a hit there. He says that division did not exist before, it is not correct. The court also ousted him. The court said a legally constituted court in front of this court he must come and answer,” he pointed out, believing that the Labour leader is resorting to Delaying Tactics through legal points that, according to him, would be frivolous, to delay this trial.
The question raised in the name of Joanne Tour will target not only the origin of the Rs 220 million but also the USD 3 million. This PQ will come after that of Reza Uteem (MMM), who will ask the Leader of the House for information about the interim Director General of the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA), Aruna Bunwaree-Ramsaha, who has been suspended since December 2022 following allegations that she was passing information to opposition MPs. With Pravind Jugnauth dragging out his response on the safes, there is evidently no chance for other interpellations on the PMQT to be included.
During the time of PQs addressed to ministers, the opposition Whip Patrice Armance (PMSD) will question the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government, Anwar Husnoo, on the requests for Building and Land Use Permits rejected by regional councils, taking into account sites with flood risks under the Land Drainage Masterplan.
Karen Foo Kune-Bacha (MMM) will ask the Minister of Energy and Public Services, Joe Lesjongard, for information regarding the asbestos issue with pipes of the Central Water Authority and the measures taken since 2019 to replace them across the island for health reasons.
Mahend Gungapersad (PTr) will seek details from the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, regarding the lack of teachers in secondary schools since the beginning of the year. Ranjiv Woochit (PTr) will want to know from the Minister of Social Security, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the government’s plans for recreational centers, including those of Lady Sushil Ramgoolam in Pointe-aux-Piments, James Burty David in Pointe-aux-Sables, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in Belle-Mare.
Patrick Assirvaden (PTr), whose questioning has been revived three weeks in a row, will intervene regarding the 30 MW solar farm project of Corexsolar and the latest developments surrounding the Power Purchase Agreement concluded between the Central Electricity Board and the Reunionese promoters. Franco Quirin (MMM) will question the Minister of Youth and Sports, Stéphane Toussaint, on the criticisms of the Director of Audit regarding the Mauritius Sports Council. Richard Duval (PMSD) will question the Minister of Health, Kailesh Jagutpal, on the medical services engaged by private clinics in hospitals and the expenses incurred in recent years.
Rajesh Bhagwan (MMM) will discuss with the Minister of Transport and Light Rail, Alan Ganoo, the situation of the former football field of Morcellement La-Confiance made available to Metro Express Ltd. He will inquire about when the site in question will be released and if the project to install sports facilities there has been finalized. Joanna Bérenger (MMM) will address the Silverbank scandal by questioning the Minister of Finance, Renganaden Padayachy, on the reasons that led the Bank of Mauritius to place this banking entity under voluntary administration and the details of the Audit conducted by the firm Deloitte.
Reza Uteem (MMM) will question the Minister of Financial Services, Sunil Bholah, about the reasons behind the dismissal of Vikash Thakoor as Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission.
Farhad Aumeer (PTr) will ask the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Avinash Teeluck, about the organization of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca for this year, seeking to know the number of pilgrims who will participate and the directives given to the organizers.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
