1.Cabinet has taken cognizance of the report of the Port Safety and Environment Committee, instituted following the outbreak of fire at the Mauritius Chemical Fertilizer Ltd in October last, to address issues of safety and environment in the port area, and has agreed to the implementation of the recommendations contained therein. The Committee has, inter alia recommended the setting up of a Port Disaster Management System to deal with any disaster in the Port area, the relocation of hazardous products, the review of legislation to provide for major hazards control system, and the formulation of a policy for the control of hazardous installations.
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2.Cabinet has agreed to the dissolution of the National Intelligence Unit (NIU) and the setting up of a National Security Service (NSS) to address all matters relating to national security. A Bill to amend the Police Act will be introduced into the National Assembly shortly.
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3.Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a Beach Authority to ensure a co-ordinated approach in the development and management of beaches in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The Authority will also be responsible to formulate plans for the coastal zone management, as well as addressing issues concerning infrastructural development and landscaping works.
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4.Cabinet has agreed to the institution of a Commission of Inquiry to look into the shortcomings in the award of contracts by the then Rural and Urban Development Division of the Prime Minister’s Office as pointed out by the Director of Audit in his Report for the Financial Years 1997/98 and 1998/99.
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5.In the light of recommendations made by the Concessions Projects Division of the Ministry of Finance under section 12 of the Concession Project Act, Cabinet has decided to reject the concession proposal submitted by the Consortium Lyonnaise des Eaux/Vivendi for the management of water supply.
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6.In the context of the development framework for the Integrated Development of the Grand Baie Resort, Cabinet has agreed to the upgrading and uplifting of La Cuvette Public Beach. The project aims at providing a high quality beach resort through the extension of the beach and the provision of parking, sports and other recreational facilities and amenities.
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7.Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a new cultural exchange Programme with the People’s Republic of China for the period 2001-2003. The programme which encourages exchange and co-operation in the field of arts and culture will be signed during the visit of a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China in October 2001.
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8.Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of –
The Mauritius Marathi Cultural Centre Trust Bill;
The Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust Bill;
The Mauritius Telegu Cultural Centre Trust Bill; and
The Mauritian Cultural Centre Trust Bill.
which provide for the establishment and management of the respective Trusts.
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9.Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of:-
(i) the Minister of Industry, Commerce and International Trade to Pretoria, South Africa, where he participated in a Special Meeting of SADC Ministers of Trade on 19 March 2001, which deliberated inter alia on the implementation of the SADC Plan of Action for future negotiations on trade in services;
(ii) the Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Administrative Reforms to New Zealand from 26 February to 9 March 2001, where he attended the Commonwealth Advanced Seminar, which had as theme "Transforming Public Organisations";
(iii) the Minister of Local Government Rodrigues and Rural & Urban Development to Singapore from 21 to 22 March 2001, where he attended a conference on desalination organised by the International Desalination Association; and
(iv) the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation at the 73rd Ordinary Session of the OAU Council of Ministers and the 5th Extraordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held from 24-26 February and 1-2 March respectively in Libya.
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10.Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of:
(i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund for Specialised Medical Care under the chairmanship of Mr Dick Ng Sui Wa;
(ii) the Board of the Mauritius Institute of Education under the chairmanship of Mr Surendra Bissoondoyal; and
(iii) the five Regional Health Advisory Boards in Mauritius which have been set up inter alia to advise the Regional Health Directors based in the five major hospitals on the health needs of the population of the respective regions.
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