What You Need to Know
A consultative meeting on local government reforms was held in Port Louis, Mauritius, gathering key stakeholders to discuss proposed amendments to the Local Government Act. The reforms aim to improve service delivery and align with the national development goals of Vision 2050, addressing issues of efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Consultative Meeting on Local Government Reforms was held this morning at the Sir Harilal Vaghjee Memorial Hall in Port Louis, bringing together Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, senior officials from various Ministries, and other key stakeholders. The session was officially opened by the Minister of Local Government, Mr Ranjiv Woochit.
The meeting provided a platform for participants to share their views and submit proposals ahead of the introduction of amendments to the Local Government Act, with the aim of enhancing the delivery of more equitable services to citizens across the island. The proposed Local Government Reforms are intended to align with Mauritius’ broader national development trajectory towards Vision 2050.
The agenda focused on five key themes: Redefining the Architecture of Local Government; Financial Autonomy, Fiscal Empowerment and Financial Sustainability; Modern Service Delivery, Territorial Equity, Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure; Digital and Smart Local Government; and Democratic Participation and Trust Building.
In his address, Minister Woochit highlighted that the Local Government Reforms represent a national endeavour, given their direct impact on key aspects of citizens’ daily lives, including social welfare, culture, sports, infrastructure, the environment and community development. He observed that five inter-ministerial committees have been convened since January 2024 to ensure that the reforms are closely aligned with national priorities.
Mr Woochit further pointed out that citizens were also invited to submit their views on the proposed reforms. It was observed that the public is calling for greater efficiency and transparency, as well as a stronger voice in local decision-making processes, he indicated.
Referring to the 2022 Afrobarometer Report, he noted that only 40% of Mauritians expressed trust in local authorities, while a significant proportion indicated dissatisfaction with performance at the local level. This, he said, signals the need for reform of the system.
Moreover, the Minister underlined that while the existing system has served the country for many years, it now faces evident challenges, including limited autonomy, uneven service delivery, financial constraints, and excessive reliance on Central Government support. There is a pressing need to equip local authorities with the tools, resources, and responsibilities to manage development more effectively, while remaining fully accountable to the citizens they serve, he added.
Local government in Mauritius has evolved significantly since independence in 1968, with various reforms aimed at decentralizing power and improving local governance. The current push for reform is driven by public dissatisfaction with local authorities, as highlighted in the 2022 Afrobarometer Report, which revealed low trust levels among citizens. This reform initiative seeks to empower local governments to better serve their communities and enhance democratic participation in decision-making processes.
