Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-03-27 11:00:19
Minister of Finance Renganaden Padayachy argues that the Gambling Regulatory Authority contributes to ensuring the safety and security of all stakeholders in the horse racing sector at the Champ-de-Mars racetrack. However, he emphasizes that under the GRA Act, there is no legal obligation imposed on the GRA or its horse racing division to conduct a comprehensive audit regarding the safety of stakeholders and the public at the Champ-de-Mars racetrack. This was made clear to MMM MP Rajesh Bhagwan during yesterday’s Question Time in the National Assembly.
“The obligation regarding the safety of the public and stakeholders at the Champ-de-Mars racetrack is imposed on the horse racing event organizer throughout the racing season. The same practice was applicable when horse racing events were organized by the Mauritius Turf Club in the past,” the minister said.
He points out that under Article 93 of the GRA Act, it is required that all individuals involved in horse racing activities hold a valid personal management license in order to conduct their professional activities. He explains that this personal management license is only issued by the GRA after confirming that the holder is a trustworthy person.
“If a license holder is involved in behavior or actions resembling violence and likely to affect the safety of stakeholders in the horse racing sector, the GRA board can take disciplinary action under Article 99 of the GRA Act by suspending or revoking the operator’s personal management license, thereby preventing them from engaging in horse racing sector activities,” he stated. He further states that the law requires, among other things, that a horse racing organizer ensure that the racetrack is in good condition, providing a smooth and safe racing surface, safe and secure treads and outer bands, and compliance with applicable health and safety requirements.
He declares that from the start of the 2024 racing season, the GRA will ensure that its license holder, People’s Turf PLC, as the horse racing event organizer, effectively fulfills its responsibilities regarding the organization of horse racing events in all aspects, including safety, comfort and hygiene, in accordance with the conditions of its license.
Renganaden Padayachy asserts that the GRA is not involved in the process of granting approval for any type of construction at the Champ-de-Mars racetrack.
Bhagwan: Is the minister aware or does he have time to visit the state of decay of the Champ-de-Mars, a national heritage, since People’s Turf has been responsible for organizing the races? Will the minister take the time or can he ask his officers or the GRA to visit today and see the state not only of the infrastructure but also of the security; there are no more barriers. It’s a real security problem for the public.
Padayachy: I have answered the question and I will inform the GRA of the requests from the honorable member of the opposition and we will see what response I receive.
Bhagwan: As everyone knows, there is a construction taking place, dormitories for foreign workers supposedly by People’s Turf. We all know who the magnate of People’s Turf is. Can the minister investigate, ask the GRA who is responsible or this organization responsible at Champ-de-Mars, COIREC or his colleague the Minister of Regional Administrations, if the Port Louis municipality has issued permits for the construction of these dormitories, construction that is being done illegally because this gentleman thinks he is protected by the state?
Padayachy: I will not go into all the details suggested by the honorable member of the opposition. If he has a permit, it is not illegal. I will ask the authorities responsible for issuing permits for dormitory construction for some information on this. It is not the GRA’s function to grant this type of authorization.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
