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Navin Ramgoolam’s visit to Ferney revives the hopes of NGOs
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Navin Ramgoolam’s visit to Ferney revives the hopes of NGOs
All ecological associations present were unanimous in expressing their satisfaction with the visit made by the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, to Ferney site. The mere fact that the PM went to see what was going on in the valley would have satisfied them. But there was even better news: the PM has ordered that the work on the South Eastern highway be stopped until he makes his final decision on the issue. He has committed to make his decision public before his 100th day in power – 15th October. The organisations are thus holding their breath concerning the future and salvation of the endemic plants, even with a highway in the region.
During his visit, Navin Ramgoolam appeared extremely concerned by the plants endangered by the construction of the highway but also by the question of how to avoid Ferney valley. He asked many questions to the organisations present – Nature Watch, Mahebourg Citizens Welfare Organisation (MCWO) headed by George Ah-Yan and Eco Sud – as well as officials of the Road Development Authority (RDA). He wanted to know “why these endemic species were not mentioned in the first report.”
The PM even walked along the path proposed by the MCWO aimed at preventing the destruction of plants and trees. The organisation also proposes that Ferney valley be transformed into a natural park that tourists could visit. “The aim of this path is not only to spare the valley but it should also enliven several little coastal villages, which would then benefit from tourism.”
The public interest</B>
Navin Ramgoolam admitted: “The value of a tree can’t be expressed in rupees”. But he added that the state has commitments towards the Chinese company building the highway. In other words, it could be difficult to stop the process now that it has started. But the PM did not want to go further into that matter until he makes a final decision.
In fact the Rs 300 million mentioned as compensation to the Chinese company if the project were cancelled has been the object of questions by lawyers. Nature Watch lawyer, Robin Mardemootoo, asserts “the ministry of Public infrastructures has never shown any contract with the Chinese company, which states that the state would indeed have to pay those Rs 300 million.” But in such contracts, there is always an arbitration clause which the government could use if there is a conflict. According to the lawyer, the government could invoke “public interest”.
The PM showed such concern about ecology and the preservation of our endemic plants that it is difficult to understand why work on the South Eastern Highway has not been stopped earlier. In fact, he explained, “When I asked to stop the work, the technicians thought I was talking about the work in the valley.”
In any case, he has now gone on the site, seen the work, talked with the parties concerned and now he has to deal with his own conscience.
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