1. Cabinet has reviewed the water situation in the country and has taken note that the Minister of Public Utilities had a meeting with technicians of the Central Water Authority, Water Resources Unit, Irrigation Authority and the Meteorological Services on Wednesday 24 December 2003. It was observed that the water supply from storage reservoirs was more or less at the normal rate for the dry season. However, substantial decrease has been noted with regard to ground water, particularly in certain boreholes such as those at Yemen and Hollyrood which supply water to regions of the West, Bassin and Palma. Consequently, severe water cuts are effected in these regions. Arrangements have been made by the CWA to supply water to these regions using water tankers. The same arrangements have been made for villages in the South affected by a decrease in the river flows.
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2. Cabinet has reviewed the situation concerning the possible shortage of aviation fuel due to the late arrival of the Ship Filomena Lembo, a tanker with 31,345 tons of Jet A1 Fuel on board, and has taken note that to minimise the delay, arrangements have been made by the State Trading Corporation to ensure prompt clearance of the consignment. The construction of additional storage capacity at the airport which according to an agreement between AML and the oil Companies would be ready by April 2005 would ensure continued supplies of Jet A1 fuel in the future.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that consultations were being held on the administrative structure to be put in place to implement the merging of the Ministry of Economic Development with the Ministry of Finance.
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4. Cabinet has taken note that with a view to preparing for the launching of the Eastern and Southern African Countries/Economic Partnership Agreement (ESA/EPA) negotiations in Mauritius, a meeting of ESA Ambassadors was held in Brussels on 18 December 2003 to decide on the dates for the meetings scheduled during the launching ceremony. The COMESA Secretariat will finance the participation of six ESA Brussels-based Ambassadorial Spokespersons and two representatives from the capital of each ESA participating country in these meetings, which would also be attended by representatives of other regional ACP groupings.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the situation following the judgement of the Privy Council in the matter of the Diocese of Port Louis v/s Mr S. Tengur and ors and has taken note that the Minister of Education and Scientific Research has reassured the Diocese of Port Louis that Government continues to consider the Catholic Authorities as a privileged partner in the Education Sector. The "Bureau de l'Education Catholique" has confirmed to the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research that the allocation of seats in Catholic colleges has been completed under the different criteria without any reference to the religious affiliation of the applicants.
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6. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding admission in Form I and has taken note that some 2000 requests for transfer had been received and were being processed. strictly on basis of laid down criteria. The exercise will be completed by 29 December 2003.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the positive outcome of the mission of the Prime Minister to Comoros from 18 to 20 December 2003 where he attended the meeting of the countries of the region and the African Union (AU) Troika on the Comoros, and during which was signed a declaration providing inter alia for the holding of fair and free Parliamentary Elections before April 2004. The Prime Minister has also impressed upon the World Bank representative in Antananarivo for prompt follow-up action and upon the Chairperson of the African Union the need to ensure that a meeting of the "Comité de Suivi" be held in early January 2004.
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8. Cabinet has taken note that -
(a) the CEB has launched a Request for Proposal for the purchase of power for bagasse/complementary fuel on Friday 19 December. The closing date is 10 March 2004; and
(b) the appointment of Professor Brij Kishore Baguant as Chairperson of the CEB with effect from 29 December 2003.
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9. Cabinet has reviewed the situation of bank fisheries operators and has taken note that the Prime Minister will chair a meeting with the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping, the Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of Commerce and Cooperatives, the Mauritius Ports Authority and the bank fisheries operators early in January 2004. The Committee will also examine the issue of safe storage of gasoline on board of fishing vessels.
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10. Cabinet has taken note that a mobile x-ray inspection system and a palletised air-cargo security inspection system will be purchased for the Customs under the Sino-Mauritian Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement.
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11. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding problems in National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) blocks and has taken note that the Prime Minister had a meeting with Ministers concerned and the NHDC Syndics on Tuesday 23 December 2003 to review progress on measures taken to alleviate these problems.
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12. Cabinet has taken note with concern that the Mauritius Football Association (MFA), which has been granted the lease over a plot of State Land at Trianon for the construction of its headquarters, has appointed a contractor for the works without seemingly having recourse to a tendering exercise. Clarifications have been sought from the MFA.
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13. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the preparatory process for the International Meeting for the Comprehensive Review of the Barbados Plan of Action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to be held in Mauritius next year, the National Assessment Report on progress achieved since 1994 will be submitted to the SIDS Unit at the United Nations (UN). That Unit will prepare a synthesis of national reports from all SIDS to be used as basis for discussion at the International Meeting.
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14. Cabinet has taken note of the HIV/AIDS Action Plan for injecting drug users and has agreed to the release of the document to the public.
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15. Cabinet has taken note of measures for the alleviation of Poverty during the last three years.
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16. Cabinet has taken note of the evolution in the motor vehicle market following the introduction of a package of measures in July 2003. There has been a 22% increase in the sales of vehicles for the period October to November 2003. Sale of new vehicles rose by 45% compared to 7% for imported second hand vehicles. However, the situation will continue to be monitored before a definite conclusion is drawn on the trends.
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17. Cabinet has taken note of the oucome of the mission of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation:
(ii) in Mexico on 9 December 2003 for the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against corruption;
(iii) in Addis Ababa from 15 to 16 December 2003 where he attended the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the China-Africa Forum; and
(i) in Paris from 18 to 19 December 2003 where he attended the 19th Session of the "Conference Ministerielle de la Francophonie".
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