1. Cabinet has taken note of arrangements being made in the context of the proposed visit of Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Indian National Congress Party to Mauritius on 28 November 2004 to inaugurate the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre and the two-day visit of Mr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India at the end of December, during which he would inter alia inaugurate the Cyber Tower and Les Pailles Conference Centre.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the meeting which the Prime Minister had with Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, Leader of the Opposition in Zimbabwe concerning the political situation in Zimbabwe and the need to ensure that elections scheduled for March 2005 are held in accordance with the SADC Guidelines and Principles Governing Democratic Elections. Cabinet has also taken note of the discussions which the Prime Minister had with President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros during his visit from 23 to 25 October 2004. The talks focused on the forthcoming Lenders’ meeting to be held in Mauritius and the political situation in the archipelago generally.
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3. Cabinet has taken note of arrangements being made to monitor water supply to ensure that the population is not unduly affected by the difficult water situation during the prevailing dry season. Cabinet has also taken note that special measures are being taken for a smooth water supply in Mosques during the month of Ramadhan.
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4. Cabinet has taken note of the Report of the High Powered Committee chaired by the Acting Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service and comprising the Director, Pay Research Bureau, the Supervising Officer, Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Administrative Reforms, the Financial Secretary represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, which met on Wednesday 27 October 2004 to review the case of Mr J. Pereira, Officer-in-Charge of Père Laval College. The High Powered Committee has not considered it appropriate to review the requirement of two ‘A’ Levels at one sitting and has recommended that for the post of Principal, 15 years’ teaching experience in secondary schools with a minimum of five years after obtention of a degree and a PGCE be considered as an alternative to the 15 years experience in the grade. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research for necessary action.
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5. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the Integrated Tourism Development Projects at St Félix and Bel Ombre and has taken note of progress in the implementation of the hotel projects.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to Mr J. Forget, retired Chief Justice being appointed to review actions taken so far on the implementation of the recommendations made in 2002 by the Committee which was chaired by him on Pollution in the Port Louis region. Cabinet has also taken note that the Prime Minister will chair a meeting on Thursday 4 November 2004 with Ministers concerned and other stakeholders to review the problems faced by fishers in the western region, particularly at Le Morne. A site visit will be held thereafter by the Prime Minister and Ministers concerned.
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7. Cabinet has reviewed the proposals for planning developments at Morcellement Anna, Flic-en-Flac and at Melville and has taken note that consultations will be held between the Ministry of Housing and Lands and all stakeholders on these proposals and final recommendations will be made to Cabinet in the light of these consultations. Cabinet has also taken note that a site visit will be effected at Melville by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Housing and Lands, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit, the Minister of Tourism and Leisure and the Minister of Fisheries.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2004-2007 for Rodrigues which has as main objective to maintain the very low prevalence rate of HIV infection in Rodrigues and to provide quality care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Strategies will focus on sensitization of the population, empowerment of NGOs and other relevant organizations, training, counseling, ensuring availability of laboratory facilities, treatment and drugs as well as monitoring and evaluation of all activities for HIV/AIDS prevention.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research to UNESCO, Paris in the context of 170th Session of its Executive Board.
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