Africa-Press – Mauritius. The groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of the La Vigie-La Brasserie-Beaux Songes Link Road project, which aims to improve road infrastructure within and around Curepipe, was performed this afternoon, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Mon Vert, in Forest Side.
The project, funded to the tune of Rs 655,786,013.81, is expected to deliver major improvement to the town’s road network and its connectivity with other regions.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram; Members of Parliament; and other personalities, were present at the ceremony.
In a statement to the press, the Prime Minister spoke about Government’s commitment in continuing with its development and modernisation programme of road infrastructure across the country with the main objective to allow citizens travel smoothly from one region to another.
Government, he reassured, will work to elaborate a comprehensive road infrastructure plan for the next 50 years for Mauritius despite the economic difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As regards the current major road venture, Mr Jugnauth indicated that, in its first phase, the project will comprise the construction of a new road to link La Vigie to La Marie while the second phase will connect La Marie to Beaux Songes roundabout and thereafter connect with Flic en Flac.
This road will thus greatly ease the travelling experience of people going towards the West and those journeying from the West to other regions by going through La Vigie, he pointed out.
Speaking about the Chagos, the Prime Minister expressed pride that, today, the National Flag of the Republic of Mauritius is floating on the Archipelago.
He, however, deplored the position of the United Kingdom (UK) on the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Archipelago and qualified the stance of the UK as piteous on the issue given that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has rendered its advisory opinion in favour of Mauritius with regards to the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from our country.
He questioned the credibility of the UK as a nation and the conservative government led by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with regards to respecting the rule of law and international institutions.
The Prime Minister further recalled that a resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and Mauritius received a resounding majority of votes from Member States in its favour pertaining to its sovereignty claims.
He also referred to a recent judgement issued by a Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) which endorsed the judgement handed down by the ICJ and which stated that the UK’s claim is a mere assertion, that they have no right over the Chagos Archipelago, and they should have already returned the Archipelago to Mauritius.
Mr Jugnauth expressed the wish for the UK to apply the principle which they have always defended with regards to respecting the rule of law and international institutions.
He further stated that if the National Flag is removed from the Archipelago, it will not only constitute a provocation, but will also violate international law and the judgements of the ICJ and ITLOS.
He reaffirmed the legitimate right of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago. The La Vigie-La Brasserie-Beaux Songes Link Road Project The road will start from the Motorway at La Vigie, and will cross the Phoenix Plaisance Road (A10) at 16e Mille and end on La Marie Road (B102) at La Marie.
The aim of the project, from La Vigie to Pierre Fond, is to improve journey times between the West, Central and South regions of Mauritius, including between Black River, the M1 Motorway and the SSR International Airport.
The contract for the Link Road has been awarded to General Construction Ltd and the project scope includes the construction of: 6.5 Km single carriageway 7.0 m wide with 1.5 m shoulders on both sides of flexible pavement from La Vigie to La Marie; two roundabouts with associated slip lanes; a T signalised junction on Motorway M1 at La Vigie; box culverts and other drainage structures; and a pedestrian underpass.
In addition, street lightings will be set up and provision of miscellaneous road equipment such as carriageway markings, traffic signs, handrails and safety fences, will be made. Drainage structures will be also be constructed.
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