«We are eagerly waiting for detailed reports from the Compagnie Mauricienne de Textile (CMT), from the Ministry of Health and an update from the ministry of Environment (MoE).» If Sir Bhinod Bacha, coordinator of the committee set up to solve the pollution problem at La Tour Koenig, has not lost patience, he has in mind that the deadline for the handing over of all the above-named documents has been fixed for today!

Meanwhile, inhabitants, feeling somewhat neglected since their meeting with other stakeholders in mid-December, are preparing a letter for the authorities. «There are technical data that had to be processed by the Health authorities and the University of Mauritius», explains Sir Bhinod, who addressed a correspondence 10 days back to the MoE to «activate the submission of their report with the input from the Ministry of Health».

Contacted, the responsible health officer at the ministry assures that this contribution will be incessantly available: «But I have to confess we did not get the expected response from the population. For the last two days when we conducted tests over the inhabitants, practically nobody came. Only 300 persons have been examined», declares the acting principal medical officer, Dr. Tilochun Nundlall.

The results also seem meagre at first sight: «We have detected some cases of hay fever allergy. But we would have needed more extensive examination to determine if they are directly linked with smoke pollution.» Dr Nundlall also mentions that his services repeatedly contacted the Athion family, who had first drawn attention to their children?s health problems. «This was also in vain. Instead of that, only one person went to the chest hospital.»

Nevertheless, the present situation contrasts with statements from the minister of Housing, Asraf Dullul, who had reassured that a positive outcome would be quickly found for the local population. In short, despite the commitment from the CMT management and efforts from Health services, inhabitants say that there has been no noticeable improvement near Tourelles and Coquillages blocks.

«We are still suffering from the continuous black smoke emission, smell, and general discomfort», says an upset Steeve Hagoo, 40. He says his children had to wear spectacles after being affected by severe eye irritation that could have been caused, according to his doctor, by smoke and carbon particles in the air.

Life has become complicated for the Hagoo, who live 200 metres from eight chimneys of the nearby dyeing plant. The loss of vision in the case of his elder daughter Jane, has been so visible that he fears she may be at risk when going to school every day. «Our moves towards the ministry of Education to admit her in a nearby school have been met with despise. I am feeling resentful as time passes».

After his field visit in December, Minister Dulull stated that it was out of question to relocate either the plant or the inhabitants. And those encountered last Thursday, while minister Rajesh Jeetah was visiting CMT, are mostly against any attempt to sell back their property.

«I have already built an extension to my house. I have invested in decoration. I have no intention to leave now», confirms Salim Coderbaccus, a 34-year old taximan, who testifies: «The smoke and carbon emanations happen all day, but they intensify and go on continuously as from 6 pm. It is like that all the night.» With the summer temperatures, inhabitants often want to let their windows open. The result is no comfort, no ease, and often, no sleep. «My wife is asthmatic. There are days when she has to stay at another place», deplores Steeve Hagoo.

And when they are questioned about the health campaign, they remain suspicious: «We did not even notice them», says Salim Coderbaccus. In a letter to the authorities, the inhabitants point out that, following a meeting with all stakeholders (including the Director of Environment) in March 2007, the attention of Cougen Naidu, Business Unit Leader at the CMT, was drawn towards the fact that the Environmental Impact Assessment granted to CMT originally stated that the company had to use gas fired boilers. «Following representations made by CMT, use of diesel fired boilers was allowed subject to a set of conditions. However, CMT had started using HFO 1500 without prior approval from the Department of Environment». HFO 1500 is a heavy fuel oil.

Following representations, Karl Valentin, another inhabitant says that «there was a noticeable amelioration in the air emissions. But after some months, things went back to point zero»? Only the problem of drain overflowing seems to have disappeared. Yet, since Minister Dulull?s visit last December, it has been impossible for us to contact any CMT official?