By Pauline ETIENNE

Many of us must have sighed when the countdown for 2006 came to an end. It might be a bit of superstition but the arrival of a new year is often expected to bring a breath of fresh air and better news than the previous one ? particularly when a year has been as tough as 2006 for most Mauritian citizens. A brighter year may well depend on our own good resolutions aimed at improving our lives but there is no doubt that it also depends on our environment and the decisions taken by those at the head of the country to "change our lives".

With this in mind, the Prime minister?s speech to send his best wishes to the whole population on 1st January was full of reassurances. After what he himself described as a "tough" year, he committed to make of 2007 a better one. Hence, the announcement of the status quo in the price of gas and flour ? despite rises on the world market ? hardly surprised. And, to be really honest, no one would ever complain about being able to afford a (slightly) better lifestyle.

Now, we can only hope that such decisions were taken after careful consideration and that the population will not have to cough up for these "presents" at the end of the day?

If the government really means business when it states it wants the best for the citizens, then it must have made sure that such decisions would be beneficial both in the short-term and the long-term.

The government?s duty is of course to offer its citizens a better, saner and more sustainable economic environment. But this is only part of its job. A more secure atmosphere is also part of it. People should feel that they are not free to do whatever they want and that, sooner or later, they will be punished for their actions. Of course, I am not talking about corporal punishment but about legal sentences?

The best way to achieve such a sane atmosphere and remove the desire to kill or commit violent action from this type of people would be to find and arrest all those responsible for unresolved crimes. Not only would this allow the families concerned to (finally) wave the victims goodbye but it would also show all those tempted to break the law that this same law would take revenge.

I am sure this logic would also apply to road users. It has indeed been proved at the end of the year. Never had I seen people so cautious about drink driving as this year. It is true that the "Bob" concept was fruitful ? you could hardly avoid discussions about ?who would be Bob? at almost all parties ? but the real deterrent was the regular alcohol-tests on the roads. What could appear as repression finally acted as prevention since no driver was ready to take the risk of being arrested during that period. The experiment was conclusive and may be taken as example this year to force people to be more responsible?

We hope that the government will set up the necessary framework for 2007 to be a good year for Mauritius. A pinch of foreign expertise and a zest of responsibility from opposition members should make it even better? with of course the determination of all Mauritian citizens who have courageously been back to work this week full of good resolutions that they will keep!