An application was made to the Municipal Council of Curepipe on 17 March 2003 for the permission to put up an indicative panel at the corner of Jerningham and Leclezio Streets, Curepipe. A reply dated 23 March 2003 from the Town Clerk, Municipality of Curepipe, stated that I needed prior clearance from the Road Authority of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport and Shipping before my application could be further processed.

As directed, I applied to the Road Development Authority via a letter dated 31 March 2003. A reply dated 18 April 2003 informed me that the spot in question fell under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Curepipe and that I needed the authorisation from the latter.

A second letter addressed to the Municipality of Curepipe was accordingly sent and a reply dated 18 June 2003 stated that I could instal the panel subject to prior clearance from the Ministry of Housing and Lands. Complying, I sent a letter to the Ministry of Housing and Lands dated 10 July 2003. Failing to hear anything from the said Ministry for six months, I resubmitted the application on 7 January 2004. Once again, there was complete silence. Upon a personal visit to the Ministry of Housing and Lands on 13 April 2004, I was told that the particular spot in question did not fall under their jurisdiction but that of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and that I should liaise with the latter in the future. To be noted that it took the Ministry of Housing and Lands nine months to decide this. No doubt, that had I not pursued the matter, the said Ministry would have continued to sleep !

On contacting the Ministry of Public Infrastructure through a personal visit on 14 May 2004, I was informed that my application had been forwarded to the Road Development Authority. So, it went back to where it started ! Did I not refer to a merry-go-round ?

Needless to say that there has been no response from that end till date.

It is already one year and three months since the initial application was made.

The Harassed?