1. Cabinet has been apprised of the status of the Mass Transit System project and has noted that the British Executive Service Overseas (BESO) has made available the services of Mr William Tait to the Ministry of Land Transport, Shipping and Port Development to advise Government on the Project. A Ministerial Committee has been set up to consider a proposed time-table for the implementation of the project.
2. Cabinet has considered a proposal from the Minister of Land Transport, Shipping & Port Development to alleviate traffic congestion and parking problems in the Port Louis area. Under the project, parking facilities will be created for some 1500 vehicles on the outskirts of Port Louis namely at Champ de Mars,
Colline Monneron and Les Salines; these parking areas will be under constant security and shuttle services will be provided from these areas to the city centre free of charge. The project also includes a reorganisation of traffic and short-term parking in the capital and improving pedestrian movement.
3. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Urban & Rural Development financing to the tune of Rs 10.4M the procurement of lamps for street lighting by local authorities and Rodrigues.
4. Cabinet has decided that henceforth Social Welfare Centres and Community Centres will provide two tarpaulins, 600 square feet of tubular frames and 50 chairs to families in the event of mortality, against payment of a nominal fee of Rs 100. In case the deceased was a beneficiary of any pension or social aid, such facilities will be made available free of charge.
5. Cabinet has agreed to the grant of:
(i) 4 Export Enterprise Certificates;
(ii) 1 Pioneer Status Enterprise Certificate; and
(iii) 1 Industrial Building Enterprise Certificate under the Industrial Expansion Act, 1993. These projects, involve a total investment of around Rs 20M and the creation of employment opportunities for some 173 persons.
6. Cabinet has been apprised of progress on the Midlands Dam Project. The evaluation report of the Consultant on the various services has been completed and appropriate action will be taken in the coming weeks to award the contract.
7. In the light of the recommendations of the Pay Research Bureau, Cabinet has agreed to the fees payable to Mayors, Chairmen of District and Village Councils being increased with effect from 1 July 1998.
8. Cabinet has agreed to the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources to grant a salary increase of 6% to all staff of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.
9. Cabinet has taken note:
(i) of the offer of two scholarships, one by the Billington Food Group Ltd based in Liverpool for undergraduate studies in the field of Engineering at Liverpool University or in the field of Business at Liverpool John Moores University for academic year 1999/2000; and another scholarship at postgraduate level by the University of Surrey for academic year 1999/2000;
(ii) that the Ministry of Local Government has approved the proposal of the Municipal Council of Beau Bassin/Rose Hill to issue public debentures to an amount of about Rs 55M to finance infrastructural and other capital projects in the township area;
(iii) of the renewal of the contract appointment of Mr Gungadhur Baguant as part-time Chairman of the Industrial Relations Commission for a period of 1 year as from 15 February, 1999;
(iv) of the improvement in the financial situation of the Agricultural Marketing Board, although the latter must maintain a policy of strict financial discipline and operate on commercial principles;
(v) of the preparations being made by the Ministry of Arts & Culture in the context of the celebrations marking the Tricentenary Anniversary of the birth of Mahé de Labourdonnais; and
(vi) of the outcome of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Central Organ of the OAU Mechanism for conflict prevention, management and resolution at summit level held on 17 and 18 December, 1998 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.