1 No. 26 of 2017 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2017 2 CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENT PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS BILLS (Public) ADJOURNMENT 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for KCMG, QC Rodrigues Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands Hon. Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, GCSK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Tourism Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Health and Quality of Life Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Sinatambou Environment and Sustainable Development Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives 4 Hon. Marie Roland Alain Wong Yen Minister of Social Integration and Economic Cheong, MSK Empowerment Hon. Premdut Koonjoo Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training Hon. Purmanund Jhugroo Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Hon. Dharmendar Sesungkur Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance Hon. Mrs Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Madam Speaker Hanoomanjee, Hon. Mrs Santi Bai, GCSK Deputy Speaker Teeluckdharry, Hon. Kalidass Deputy Chairperson of Committees Jahangeer, Hon. Ahmad Bashir Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Adviser Dowlutta, Mr Ram Ranjit Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 MAURITIUS Sixth National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 26 of 2017 Sitting of Tuesday 21 November 2017 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Madam Speaker in the Chair) 7 ANNOUNCEMENT ICAC PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE – MEMBERS - APPOINTMENT Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have an announcement to make with regard to the Parliamentary Committee for the monitoring of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Following the resignation of hon. Abbas Mamode, hon. Rutnah and hon. Teeluckdharry after his election as Deputy Speaker, the hon. Prime Minister has on 19 May 2017, pursuant to section 59 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, designated the following three hon. Members to serve on the Parliamentary Committee – (i) Hon. Mrs M.C.J. Monty; (ii) Dr. hon. M. R. Sorefan, and (iii) Hon. T. Benydin. Following the resignation of hon. Gobin as Member and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on 21 September 2017 subsequent to his appointment as Attorney- General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms, the hon. Prime Minister has on 16 November 2017, pursuant to section 59 (2) and (3) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, designated hon. Lesjongard as Member and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee. Thank you. PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Prime Minister’s Office (a) Digest of Labour Statistics 2016 (b) The Investment Promotion (Smart City Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.218 of 2017) (c) The Finance and Audit (Smart City Scheme Social Fund) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.219 of 2017) 8 (d) The Finance and Audit (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.220 of 2017) (e) The Ports (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.223 of 2017) B. Minister Mentor’s Office, Ministry of Defence and Ministry for Rodrigues The Rodrigues Regional Assembly (Shipment of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice (Rodrigues Regional Assembly) No.1 of 2017) C. Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport The Le Chaland Road (Modification) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.221 of 2017) D. Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection The Rodrigues Consumer Protection (Control of Price of Taxable and Non-taxable Goods) (Amendment No. 42) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.217 of 2017) E. Attorney General’s Office and Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms The Institutions Agréés (Amendment) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No. 222 of 2017) F. Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare The Annual Reports of the National Women Entrepreneur Council for the years 2013 and 2014. G. Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands The Local Government (General Rate) Regulations 2017. (Government Notice No.224 of 2017) 9 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SHOPRITE (MAURITIUS) LTD – FIRE OUTBREAK & FIRE SAFETY COMPLIANCE The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval) (by Private Notice) asked the Vice- Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands whether, in regard to buildings, she will state, since 11 July 2017, the measures taken by her Ministry to improve the fire safety thereof and, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, information as to – (a) the measures taken to upgrade its firefighting equipment, and (b) if the warehouse of the Shoprite Mall at Trianon was in full compliance with all such currently applicable norms as at the date of the recent fire outbreak thereat. The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands (Mrs F. Jeewa-Daureeawoo): Madam Speaker, at the outset, allow me to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the grieving family of late Mr Dineshwar Domah. I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life of this young man in the fire outbreak at Shoprite (Mauritius) Ltd last week. The whole nation is devastated by this sad incident. Every death is one death too many. On Saturday 18 November, I carried out a site visit at the scene of the fire and had the opportunity to meet the parents of late Mr Domah. While I was in office at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, I gave instructions for psychological support and counselling to be offered to the parents and close relatives. In an effort to take stock of the situation and ensure coordination between the different stakeholders, a crisis committee meeting, chaired by myself, was held on the same afternoon of Saturday 18. The meeting comprised officers of my Ministry, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, the Mauritius Police Force, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, the Special Mobile Force, the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes, the General Manager of Shoprite (Mauritius) Ltd, and representatives of Trianon Shopping Park. 10 The top priority was to ensure the continuity of the rescue and search operations, under the supervision of relevant authorities. On Sunday 19 November, the Police confirmed that the missing body found was in fact that of late Mr Dineshwar Domah. The crisis committee met again yesterday morning for an update on the situation and the way forward. Now, we also need to consider the reopening of Trianon Shopping Park, as hundreds of jobs are at stake. However, the complex will not be opened until we secure the clearances of all relevant authorities. The different Ministries concerned are working to make sure that Trianon Shopping Park is safe to be opened to the employees and the public at large. With regard to buildings and measures taken since 11 July 2017, it should be noted that the buildings can be categorized as follows - 1. High-rise buildings 2. Government-owned buildings 3. Privately-owned buildings occupied by Government organisations Following a survey carried out by the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, which began prior to 11 July 2017, there are 342 high-rise buildings with more than 3 floors. These buildings are commercial, residential and mixed occupancies. All these buildings have been inspected by the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service. Out of the 342 high-rise buildings, one hundred and thirty-nine have been issued with a Fire Certificate after 11 July 2017. Out of the above 342 high-rise buildings, it was noted that 203 buildings do not comply with fire safety measures and Fire Certificates have not yet been issued. However, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service has initiated action to serve improvement notices in the first instance. The House may also wish to note that there are 1,229 buildings which are occupied by Government organisations, out of which, 1,019 are owned by the State. Prior to 11 July 2017, 60 State-owned buildings had a Fire Certificate. One hundred and forty-three buildings owned by the State do not require a Fire Certificate because they are not occupied by more than 20 persons and they have a floor area of less than 250 square metres. Thus, they do not fall under the parameters of the OSHA 2005 and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service Act of 2013. These 143 buildings have been inspected and issued with a fire clearance.