Budget 2018/2019 priorities : shaping the New Mauritius with Modern Infrastructure

The preparation of the forthcoming Budget 2018/2019 revolves around ten main priorities of the present government. We analyse each priority, starting this week with the top priority on the list of the ministry of finance: shaping the new Mauritius with modern infrastructure.

As is the custom every year, the Annual Budget has a list of priorities and this year is no different.  The core features of the government’s development agenda are about:

(i) shaping the new Mauritius with modern infrastructure;
(ii) consolidating our traditional and emerging productive sectors and anchoring our economy firmly to the digital revolution;
(iii) developing a class of innovative entrepreneurs including the blue economy;
(iv) embracing fintech and making of Mauritius a hub for Africa;
(v) further opening up our economy and country to the rest of the world;
(vi) investing in our youth so they are better prepared for the future;
(vii) achieving gender equality;
(viii) putting behind us the problem of absolute poverty;
(ix) building a more inclusive and equitable society; and
(x) adapting our policies and strategies on sustainable development so as to build better resilience to the new challenges that climatic change is thrusting upon our population.

It is not by chance that modernisation of our infrastructure tops the list. Indeed, we can vouch that the modernization program has been underway ever since the time of Mahé de Labourdonnais, who had already laid the infrastructural base of the country.

The last two decades have seen several major public projects, such as the creation of the cyber city in Ebène in the early 2000s, the construction of new reservoirs, new roads, hospitals and other public buildings, the expansion of airport, etc. But this year, the Metro Express is considered one of the largest projects ever undertaken in Mauritius.

The Metro Express is bringing in its wake other important parallel works, such as the construction of metro stations, the relocation of electrical cables sewerage network and water mains as well as the development of new green spaces to compensate for the loss of trees uprooted to make way for tracks.

Other infrastructure projects include the continuation of the Road Decongestion Program, the construction of hospitals and social housing. The Public Sector Investment Programme is rife with projects about new infrastructure or upgrade and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.  At the private sector level, Smart Cities, Property Development Scheme projects and high rise apartments dominate the construction sector.

Major current projects

• Metro Express
• New premises of the Supreme Court
• Construction of drains
• Fly over at De Caen Street, Port Louis at Rs 411 million
• The reconstruction of the ENT hospital at Rs 589 million
• Repair of the Terre Rouge / Verdun embankment
• The third lane on the motorway at Roche Bois
• Construction of a multisport complex at Côte D’Or
• Renovation of Clarisse House, Plaza and Port Louis Theatre
• Sewerage projects across the island

Forthcoming projects in 2018/2019

• New Phoenix roundabout costing Rs 5 billion
• Rehabilitation of La Ferme reservoir at the cost of Rs 370 million
• The construction of Urban Terminals
• The Roche Bois-Plaine Verte Water Pipeline at Rs 90 million
• Continuation of the Pailles-Guibies Sewerage project at Rs 400 million
• Grand Baie Sewerage Project Phase 2 at Rs 279 million
• Construction of a ‘Forensic Laboratory’ at Rs 120 million
• Mauritius Police Academy at Rs 891 million
• Driving License and Test Centre, Curepipe at Rs 18 million
• Construction of social housing units to the tune of Rs 1.3 billion
• Chebel-Sorèze Link Road at a cost of Rs 200 million
• Cap Malheureux Bypass at Rs 200 million
• Rehabilitation of the Bel Air-Deux Frères Road at Rs 212 million
• Ebony Traffic Center at a cost of Rs 200 million
• New premises for National Archives and the National Library at Rs 450 million
• National Wholesale Market at Rs 370 million
• Construction of a new slaughterhouse at Rs 250 million
• Multisport complex in Port Louis at Rs 75 million
• Multisport complex in Triolet at Rs 75 million
• Swimming pool in Phoenix at Rs 75 million
• Balaclava Marine Park at Rs 35 million
• Market Fair of Bel Air at Rs 115 million
• SME Parks at Rs 150 million
• Rehabilitation of the old terminal at the airport at Rs 500 million

• The Regional Civil Aviation Training Academy project costing Rs 680 million

Yassin Doolaur : “Planned development is a must”

Yassin Doolaur, Civil Engineer and Project Manager, feels there is indeed an unprecedented wave of infrastructural development in the country, however, he warns against lack of proper planning.

“We can all see major development around us, which is conducive to economic growth and job creation, however, we should also be careful not to give rise to wild development devoid of proper planning. Secondly, it is a fact that the real estate sector accounts for most development, and it is sustaining the economy, but we should also engage into a thinking process to see how to develop other productive sectors so as not to rely only on the real estate sector.”

Yassin Doolaur says there has been much criticism about the property sector, especially the sale of immovable properties to foreign buyers, but he says people should realise that this sector is creating many direct and indirect jobs at different layers of society. He advocates the need for planned development for better and efficient land use.

Eric Ng : “A series of measures needed”

Economist Eric Ng is of the opinion that the expansion of the road network alone will not solve the traffic congestion problem, unless a series of simultaneous measures are taken. But what are these measures? He suggests the introduction of a toll system, an increase in parking fees, but most importantly, the relocation of certain services.

“Decentralisation will reduce road traffic. There was a first attempt of delocalization towards Ebène and now we are talking about Highlands. Some institutions no longer have a reason to be in Port Louis, for example the Line Barracks which can be moved elsewhere,” says the economist.

He also believes that the adoption of e-governance principles and online systems will greatly reduce the movement of people.

Vikram Jeetah : “Visible development around”

Vikram Jeetah, Quantity Surveyor and Project Management Consultant, says the shaping of new Mauritius with modern infrastructure is clearly visible. He adds that the construction sector is teeming with opportunities and the landscape is changing.

“I foresee more development in the years to come. However, I hope there is more productive development that enhances our capacity.”

11th International Conference on Construction Law and Dispute Resolution

Kailash Dabeesingh, a recognised construction arbitrator and a barrister specialising in infrastructure, construction and engineering law, is organising, in association with the Society of Construction Law in Mauritius, a two-day international conference on Construction Law & Dispute Resolution on 23 and 24 May 2018 at Hotel Sofitel l’Imperial, Flic-en-Flac.

Now in its 11th year, the Conference on Construction Law & Dispute Resolution continues to grow, attracting prominent speakers from across the world. The Conference Organising Committee seeks to create a gathering of engineers, architects, lawyers and other professionals working in of the field of construction for sharing and exchanging of experiences and ideas on relevant issues importance to the construction industry.

This would be achieved by assembling distinguished speakers from across the world to lead discussions and speak on a range of current topics with those attending the Conference.

The event will see the participation of eminent global speakers including Sir Rupert Jackson, retired judge, Court of Appeal of the United Kingdom; Peter Collie, Chartered Arbitrator, UK; Martin Green, Academic UK; Prof Sundra Rajoo, Chartered Arbitrator, Malaysia; Abdul Jinadu, Keating Chambers, UK; Johan Beyers, South Africa and Nigel Grout, Claim Expert, UK. Attorney General Maneesh Gobin will be the Chief Guest.

Discussions will hover around the following themes, among others: Is Arbitration fit for purpose? Ethics in Arbitration; Mediation; Termination of Contract; The Benefits and Pitfalls of amending Standard Form of Contract; Extension of time; Delay, Claim Assessment, Legal/Contractual Consideration and Evaluation of disruption costs on construction projects.
“It is our hope that this Conference will serve as a platform for a fruitful exchange of ideas and experiences for the participants in the field of construction and the legal profession,” says Kailash Dabeesingh.

The two-day conference will give insights to achieving a greater understanding and awareness of construction law, claims, conflict avoidance and dispute resolution. “Energies must be focused on developing professional knowledge in the field of arbitration, finding ways to encourage the new generations of young and able lawyers and professionals to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution.”