1.Cabinet has reviewed developments in the case of irregularity involving an amount of Rs 600m deposited by the National Pension Fund at the Mauritius Commercial Bank and has taken note that the MCB has undertaken to refund to the NPF/NSF the whole amount involved as well as the interests accrued thereto and to implement all projects announced on the 27 January 2003, including the launching of an Equity Fund of Rs 1billion. Cabinet has further taken note that both the ICAC and the Financial Intelligence Unit are conducting enquiries on the matter.
_______________________________
2.Cabinet has considered a report on the very serious situation created by a group of fishermen of Port Louis who had, on 20 February, put at stake the lives of women and children to block the port area thereby disturbing port activities. Cabinet has viewed with concern that such an act had tarnished the good repute of the Port Louis Harbour at a time when trans-shipment activities had increased significantly in 2002.
_______________________________
3.Cabinet has taken note of the on-going protest by some of the laid-off drivers of White Sand Tours and that the Acting Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Tourism and Leisure and the Minister of Labour & Industrial Relations, will meet their representatives this afternoon.
_______________________________
4.Cabinet has taken note that the Acting Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, the Minister of Education and Scientific Research, the Minister of Economic Development, Financial Service and Corporate Affairs and the Minister of Training, Skills Development, Employment and Productivity, will meet the responsible parties of students who are studying in Russia and Ukraine, on Thursday 27 February at the Octave Wiéhé Auditorium, Réduit, with a view to exchanging information on students in these two countries, as well as details on their mode of recruitment and on their recruiting agents.
_______________________________
5.Cabinet has reviewed developments on the issue of “Taxis Marrons” and has taken note that –
(a) the National Transport Authority and the Police have been requested to complete the survey of “Taxis Marrons” as well as that of taxis which are not operating for public use by the 11 March 2003;
(b) all stakeholders in the transport sector will be invited to submit their representations on the matter by 11 March 2003, after which a Committee under the chairmanship of the Acting Prime Minister, will examine the issue and submit its recommendations to Cabinet at latest on 4 April 2003.
_______________________________
6.Cabinet has taken note that a Committee under the chairmanship of the Acting Prime Minister and comprising the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity & Senior Citizen Welfare and Reform Institutions and the Minister of Local Government and Rodrigues, will meet this afternoon to review the situation of refugees following the passage of cyclone Gerry.
_______________________________
7.Cabinet has reviewed the situation at Mare Chicose Landfill site after the passage of cyclone Gerry and has taken note that appropriate remedial measures have been taken.
_______________________________
8.Cabinet has reviewed the situation at R. Seeneevassen Government School at Cassis and agreed to urgent remedial action being taken.
_______________________________
9.Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius ratifying the UN Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime.
_______________________________
10.Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of an Environment Information System at the Ministry of Environment as provided in the National Environmental Action Plan 2. The system which will be based on up to date Information and Communication Technologies will be aligned within the e-Government framework. The results generated will be made accessible to all stakeholders and the public via the internet and other regular publications.
_______________________________
11.Cabinet has taken note of the Oil Spill Contingency Plan which provides an organisational framework for effective and prompt response to oil spill incidents in our waters.
______________________________
12.Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a National Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Office in the Ministry of Environment to act as a National focal point and to facilitate the implementation of CDM projects. The Office will inter alia identify projects which comply to sustainable development criteria and which are priority in the development of the country.
_______________________________
13.Cabinet has taken note of the constitution of –
(a) the Law Reform Commission under the chairmanship of Dr D. Fok Kan; and
(b) the Environment Appeal Tribunal under the chairmanship of Mr Hajee Abdoula, Magistrate of the Intermediate Court.
_______________________________
14.Cabinet has taken note that the ICAO Aviation Security – Facilitation Seminar for Eastern and Southern Africa contracting States will be held in Mauritius in July 2003.
_______________________________
15.Cabinet has taken note that a new Memorandum of Understanding, providing for a framework for exchanges in the field of sports generally, will be signed between the State of Western Australia and Mauritius.
_______________________________
16.
16. Cabinet has taken note of the missions of –
(a) the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation to Seychelles where he attended the 19th Meeting of the IOC Council of Ministers;
(b) the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice & Human Rights to Nigeria where he attended the All-Africa Conference on Law, Justice and Development; and
(c) the Minister of Labour & Industrial Relations to Saudi Arabia in connection with the Haj Pilgrimage.