Fight against corruption: Pravind Jugnauth: “We have adopted a zero tolerance policy”

The government wants to stop corruption. This is what Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth tried to demonstrate in his reply to the Private Notice Question of opposition leader Xavier-Luc Duval on Tuesday 18 April in the National Assembly. The latter doubts his intentions.

Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, has signified his intention to put an end to the corruption in the country. "We have adopted a policy of zero tolerance," he said in response to the opposition leader's Private Notice Question (PNQ). Except that his answer was very timidly received by the opposition. "All talk but no action!” said Xavier-Luc Duval.

During this rather lively exchange, the opposition tried make Pravind Jugnauth lose his footing. The latter expresses his will, but also the difficulties to eradicate the scourge.

"Rome was not built in a day. We are serious, but vital and sensitive laws and other measures to combat corruption can not materialize overnight, because we must pay attention to unintended consequences,” the head of government said. Special attention should therefore be given to the preparation of legislation. Loopholes should be avoided in the legislation and in the measures to be applied.

"The work is progressing smoothly and we will keep all the promises contained in the government program," he added. Xavier-Luc Duval questions the sincerity of the Prime Minister. "The country has tumbled five places in Transparency International's Perception of Corruption Index," he points out.

Concerning the new anti-corruption law, the opposition leader asked Pravind Jugnauth if he is willing to make amendments in order to eliminate the immunity enjoyed by the President of the Republic.

"Let us await the recommendations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which reviews the Prevention of Corruption Act (PoCA)," said Pravind Jugnauth, adding that "the government will see whether this should be added to the amendments."

Xavier-Luc Duval criticized the government for taking "two years to bring a simple amendment" to the legislation on the declaration of assets for members of parliament and government officials. "It's not fair to say it's a minor amendment. We are in the process of reviewing this law thoroughly,” said the Prime Minister. The ministerial committee is "about to complete its work," he said.

The law on the financing of political parties is another point that Xavier-Luc Duval put on the table. Again, the government takes all its time, he said.

At the beginning of 2016, the ministerial committee chaired by Xavier-Luc Duval, then Deputy Prime Minister, submitted its report. The office of the Attorney-General had been entrusted with the preparation of a bill regarding the financing of political parties. But some obstacles remain, Pravind Jugnauth revealed.

Among the new powers of the Electoral Supervisory Commission, the control mechanism to monitor party spending during elections, sanctions to be imposed and the limits of anonymous donations. "The Prosecution Commission Bill was prepared in two hours," notes Xavier-Luc Duval. "There are some very complex points," says Pravind Jugnauth.

An anti-turncoat law is also being prepared. The leader of the opposition accuses the Prime Minister of not wanting to bring in change, especially since he has just welcomed five members of the opposition into the government ranks.

"I admit that we have not been able to come up with a bill until now, but it's a complex issue and you know, because you've been working on this issue," says Pravind Jugnauth. According to him, previous governments also intended to come with such a legislation, but were unable to do so.

More regulations for two-wheelers by next year

Two-wheelers must comply with certain standards. In parliament on Tuesday, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Nando Bodha, said that from July 2017, the motorcycles that will be imported will have to be according to Euro 2 standards and from 2020 the standards will go to Euro 4. This is consistent with the government’s policy of putting together a breakage for old motorcycles. “The government is also working on setting up compensation for motorcycles that will be scrapped.” The Minister explained that the motorcycle schools will come into operation around July. Five instructors will be trained by then and about 40 others during the following year. Currently, 15 police officers are undergoing training to be able to supervise motorcycle exams that will be taken at the police headquarters. In addition, the State Law Office is working on the introduction of regulations for electric scooters and a technical control for both wheels. The Minister also announced that a project to introduce a two-wheel lane on certain streets in Port Louis is under consideration. He indicated that parking areas on the left side of these streets will be set up as two-wheel lanes. This project will be introduced on a pilot basis.

Debt dating from 1980 not yet settled

The debts of the National Transport Corporation (CNT) amount to Rs 685 million. Of this amount, Rs 243 million are loans from commercial banks for the purchase of buses. And the rest is due to the State, a part of which since 1980, to the creation of this parastatal organisation. The government is considering converting this debt into equity. The Minister also mentioned several measures that are currently being considered to restructure the company and make it more profitable.

Port-Louis, capital of the poor

The number of families living below the extreme poverty line is 8,340. The Minister of Social Integration, Pradeep Roopun, explained that it is Moka who has the fewest poor families with 394 households, while Port -Louis leads with 988.

Terre-Rouge/Verdun link road

The compulsory acquisition of land in the Highlands, Petit-Camp, Belle-Terre regions, among others, for the construction of the Terre-Rouge/Verdun link road, includes shaded areas. Since December 2010, the government purchased land for the construction of this road. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Lands, Showkutally Soodhun, announced that of the 43 plots of land acquired, only 14 owners have been paid. Some 20 others agreed with the proposed amount, while the rest contested. MP Aadil Ameer Meea was to point out that the reason for these disagreements is that in one case, land was valued at Rs 600,000 per acre while the value of a neighbouring lot is estimated at Rs 2.5 million acre. “Another nearby plot is estimated at Rs 5 million per acre,” said the opposition MP. The minister had to answer that a Board of Assessment is looking into this.