Africa-Press – Mauritius. Some Rs 1 billion will be invested in the construction of desalination plants in Rodrigues by the Mauritius Investment Corporation to further address the long-standing water shortage in the island.
This announcement was made, today, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in his address to Members of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) in Port Mathurin. He is in Rodrigues since 28 August 2022 to launch several projects and to have working sessions with the Chief Commissioner and Members of the RRA.
He highlighted that improving water production, storage, and distribution with a view to enabling all Rodriguans to have access to adequate water on a more regular basis remains a priority for the Government. The new measure, he said, will comprise the construction of desalination plants which will be strategically located at Anse Quittor, Baie Malgache, Pointe Venus, Pointe Cotton, and Songe.
Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that Government has always provided full support to the RRA to implement various measures and projects towards solving water issues in the island, including the construction of five desalination plants, the setting up of the Observatoire de l’Eau, the development of the Rodrigues Water Resources Strategy, and the definition of a Priority Action Plan. Moreover, he indicated that an amount of Rs 36.3 million has been provided in the budget of the RRA for the construction and upgrading of reservoirs, dams, and boreholes adding that the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme for all eligible households will be renewed.
He further dwelt on several key projects and initiatives which are expected to trigger major financial, socio-economic, and cultural development of Rodrigues with a dynamic economic growth and promote a shift from a traditional economy to a modern one.
He spoke about the construction of a new runway at Plaine Corail Airport which will enable the development and the diversification of economic activities on the island as well as further improve air connectivity, boost tourism development, and enhance socio-economic conditions. He highlighted that negotiations are underway by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development with a view to contracting a loan to finance the construction of the runway.
Furthermore, Mr Jugnauth stated that a Technopark is being constructed at Baladirou to promote entrepreneurship and employment in the field of ICT. The contract for the construction of the Technopark project was awarded to Laxmanbhai & Co (Mauritius) Ltd on 08 January 2021 for the amount of Rs 255 million and construction works have already started in February 2021 for a duration of 18 months. An amount of Rs 125 million is being provided for the completion of this project in early 2023, he added.
Other projects include: Operationalisation of a Slaughter House to the tune of some Rs 20 million and refurbishment of the existing building at Baie Diamant to allow the slaughtering of cattle, goat, and sheep according to norms; extension of all schemes for the agricultural and livestock sector to Rodrigues for which Rs 5 million have been earmarked; and extension of subsidy on Special Rodrigues Holiday Package and on Airfare up to September 2023.
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