Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Johanne Prosper
Published on 2024-02-29 15:00:25
The Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, believes that the operation of the MV Peros Banhos in Port-Louis is a moment of pride for the country and symbolizes the consecration of maritime achievements and the willingness to face challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector.
“More than just a means of transportation, the commissioning of the MV Peros Banhos will stimulate growth and development by connecting markets, facilitating trade, and creating jobs,” said the head of government, who, along with his wife, Kobita, christened the ship yesterday at the Cruise Terminal. He also added that MV Peros Banhos is a celebration of the country’s history.
He indicated that the government is committed to using this ship for the common good, promoting peace, safeguarding the environment, and fostering regional and international cooperation. “A beacon of progress, linking our islands, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the connectivity of our nation,” he maintained. “Peros Banhos is one of the atolls of the Chagos Archipelago, which the International Court of Justice, the UN General Assembly, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea have made clear are an integral part of the territory of Mauritius,” the PM stated in his protocol speech. Peros Banhos was one of the birthplaces of the Chagossians, who were forcibly expelled from the Chagos Archipelago following its illegal excision from the territory of Mauritius before independence.
By naming this new ship Peros Banhos, Pravind Jugnauth advanced that it was a tribute to the victims of one of the saddest episodes in the country’s history, which is the uprooting and resulting hardships for the Chagossian community.
Pravind Jugnauth emphasized that the launch of the MV Peros Banhos is an important moment in the country’s maritime history, as the ship will primarily ensure maritime connections and inter-island services. “Connecting our outer islands and serving their inhabitants are complex issues. For several decades, the country has been developing its maritime transportation system, and we have continued until today to take new initiatives to fully satisfy the needs of the inhabitants of our outer islands,” he said, expressing the government’s willingness to facilitate the movement of goods, services, and passengers.
The Prime Minister indicated that the MV Mauritius Pride was acquired in 1990 by the then-government with the Mauritius Shipping Corporation (MSC) mainly to serve Rodrigues and Agalega and provide maritime connections to La Réunion. The MV Mauritius Pride was sold in September 2014 after 24 years of service. He also pointed out that the MV Trochetia was acquired in 2001 and has since been used to transport passengers and goods to Rodrigues, Agaléga, La Réunion, and Tamatave.
He highlighted that the MV Trochetia will reach 25 years of service in 2026, reaching the lifespan in the maritime sector. The Prime Minister announced that the MSC has already initiated procedures to recruit a naval architect for the design of a new passenger cargo ship to replace the MV Trochetia, which has over the years supported the development and growth of commerce in the region. He also emphasized that the government had decided in 2018 to acquire a new ship to transport food and fuel to Rodrigues and Agalega, and to strengthen opportunities for interregional maritime trade with East Africa.
Regarding the MV Peros Banhos, Pravind Jugnauth stated that its innovative design includes provisions for the training and development of young talent in the maritime sector. He emphasized that cabins have been dedicated to accommodate two trainers and ten trainees, offering practical experience and facilitating the completion of sea service required for certification.
Kobita Jugnauth, the godmother of MV Peros Banhos
Kobita Jugnauth, the wife of the Prime Minister, who christened the new boat MV Peros Banhos, had a hard time breaking the champagne bottle on the ship’s hull as tradition dictates.
Initially, she stood on a platform specially arranged to make this symbolic gesture, cutting the rope and holding the bottle, but it did not break as expected by the organizers and guests. A second attempt, to avoid criticism, had the same result, with the bottle refusing to break on the hull of the MV Peros Banhos, leaving a sense of incompleteness at the event.
Ultimately, it was reported that a third attempt took place after the formal ceremony, away from journalists and press photographers. A new bottle of champagne was brought, and this time it finally shattered on the hull. The video demonstrating this third attempt was circulated on the internet late last night.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
