The political character of the conflict opposing Bel-Air Sugar Estate (BASE) to minister Asraf Dulull is more than obvious. Hence, it was no surprise to see that it was the subject of the Private Notice Question (PNQ) last Tuesday – the first one of new opposition leader Nando Bodha. As expected, the opposition is asking that Housing and Lands minister steps down. But the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, is adamant that he will support his minister as long as there is no prima facie case against him.

Hence, the PM will not make any decision until the police enquiry comes with evidence that minister Dulull asked for a Rs 50 million commission to process the BASE Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) project. This is what the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the BASE revealed in his statement to the police after his boss, Patrick Rountree, sent a letter to the Board of Investment as soon as he was informed of the minister’s alleged request. The PM immediately asked the police to open an inquiry to shed light on these allegations; he has asserted that there will be “no cover-up”.

Last week, the enquiry went on with new statements - especially the third of Anil Nemchand and that of his boss, Patrick Rountree. The latter confirmed that Anil Nemchand’s version to the police was exactly the same as what the latter had told him. The managing director of BASE made it clear that no request has ever been made directly to him. Rafiq Peermamode, who alleged he was the minister’s middleman, had asked for the commission from Anil Nemchand. But Patrick Rountree pointed out that it had never been question of paying anything to Rafiq Peermamode.

Even though the latter confirms that there have been meetings with Anil Nemchand, he denies that he has ever asked for a bribe on behalf of the minister. He said the money he asked for was for social projects in the region – that was actually an integral part of the IRS contract.

However, he has recently decided not to collaborate with the police because of what he considers an unfair situation. After Anil Nemchand made his third statement to the police last Wednesday – where he asserted that Rafiq Peermamode made a first request of Rs 35 million bribery on 1st March - the police wanted to have the latter’s version. But the latter invoked his right to remain silent. His lawyers, Dick Ng Sui Wa and Ashley Hurhangee, sent a letter to the police to express their client’s frustration. “We do not understand why he is the only one to be pointed at and provisionally accused. We have the feeling that he is the scapegoat in this case.”

The fact that Rafiq Peermamode has been provisionally charged with bribery more than a week ago while the minister had not been questioned by the police before yesterday – even though he came back from his mission abroad more than ten days ago – has made people gossip. People are also wondering why the anti-corruption institution (Icac) is not enquiring into the case. But the law says that the Icac can’t open an enquiry while the police is still investigating.

<I>Rafiq Peermamode has recently decided not to collaborate with the police because of what he considers an unfair situation. His lawyers sent a letter to the police to express their client’s frustration. They feel he is the scapegoate in this case.</I>

Nooranee Peermamode, Rafiq’s brother, has also been questioned by the police about a dinner at his place in Pereybere with the minister. But he also said he would remain silent. The fact that Anil Nemchand has not faced any charges in spite of Peermamode’s contradictions over the social project also annoys the Subaru Motors general manager. “When there is more equity in this case, then we will collaborate,” said the lawyers.

Meanwhile, the IRS project of BASE at Rivière-des-Anguilles is still pending. Since it was studied by the fast-track committee in November 2005, it has not moved an inch.

In fact, BASE had a lease for 104 acres of State land that expired in 1998 and has not been renewed since.

However, when BASE realised that the place had a high potential for tourism, it asked for the lease renewal in 2001. The project includes two hotels, a golf course and 60 luxury villas; the former PM, Paul Bérenger, was supposed to visit the site in March 2005 but heavy rains prevented him from doing so.

A few months later, the project went to the Fast Track Committee but since then no decision has been taken. The problem is that the government is hesitating to grant the whole area to BASE and is considering a second promoter despite the reluctance of BASE… With the recent complications, the only certainty is that IRS project is not about to take off!