The recent change in political leadership has ushered in a transformative period for Mauritius, marked by a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and meaningful reforms within the government. Minister Woochit’s priorities in local government focus on addressing pressing challenges such as financial instability, phone tapping scandals, and deficiencies in fire safety and infrastructure. As the country navigates this critical phase, the Minister and his team are implementing strategic measures to enhance governance, ensure public safety, and drive sustainable development across municipalities and markets. In this interview, Minister Woochit outlines his approach to overcoming these challenges.
How have recent changes in political leadership influenced the government?
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the people of Mauritius for their courage in bringing about a much-needed political change. The previous administration exhibited authoritarian tendencies that suppressed fundamental freedoms and stifled democracy. The right to free movement was curtailed, and access to critical information was deliberately obstructed. Mauritius was heading toward an environment where governance lacked transparency and fairness.
The historic 60-0 election result was a resounding confirmation of widespread concerns regarding systemic irregularities within our institutions. Under the previous government, the economic situation deteriorated significantly, leading to a worsening budget deficit. Today, our financial position is critical, with international credit rating agencies such as Moody’s closely monitoring our fiscal stability due to the country’s near-bankrupt state.
Regarding the Chagos issue, the previous administration was engaged in negotiations with the British government under intense pressure to finalize an agreement before the U.S. presidential election. However, our Prime Minister has made it clear that the proposed deal was not in the national interest, and we will not proceed under those conditions.
In light of the phone tapping scandal, what measures are being implemented to ensure transparency and reinforce the legal framework between the government and the local community?
During parliamentary proceedings, the Prime Minister assured the public that all phone-tapping operations have ceased. The previous government, under Pravind Jugnauth, allocated substantial resources to unlawful surveillance activities. Such practices not only violated fundamental rights but also fostered a culture of fear and intimidation.
Our administration is committed to ensuring that all government institutions operate independently, free from political interference. As part of our broader governance reforms, we are working on legislative and institutional safeguards to prevent any future abuse of surveillance mechanisms. These reforms will enhance transparency and reinforce public trust in government operations.
What are the most pressing challenges facing local government, and how is your ministry responding?
Our immediate priority is the successful organization of the upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for 4 May 2025. We are currently undertaking a comprehensive reform of the Local Government Act, focusing on strengthening the efficiency and accountability of municipalities and district councils. A key area of concern is fire safety and emergency services, which have suffered from severe neglect and mismanagement.
It is concerning that municipal elections were postponed three times—initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later under the pretext of ongoing reforms to the Local Government Act. However, despite these delays, no substantial progress was made on the promised reforms. A legislative overhaul of this magnitude typically requires no more than six to eight months, yet the previous government failed to deliver.
To ensure a participatory approach, we are actively seeking input from all stakeholders, with a submission deadline of March 31, 2025. Once these contributions are reviewed, we will initiate a consultative process in collaboration with a ministerial committee to implement necessary reforms effectively.
What are your ministry’s future plans and priorities for local government, and how do you intend to address existing challenges?
Our ministry has identified several key priorities:
Enhancing Fire and Rescue Services – We are committed to providing firefighters with modern equipment to ensure their safety and improve response efficiency. The current state of our fire services is alarming—31 fire trucks are out of service due to breakdowns, yet no corrective measures were taken. Since assuming office, we have successfully repaired two fire trucks and initiated further maintenance efforts.
Strengthening Municipalities and District Councils – We will equip local councils with the resources they need to deliver essential services, including street lighting infrastructure, with provisions for cranes and elevators to facilitate maintenance.
Revitalizing Infrastructure Projects – Several urban development projects, including the Urban Terminal initiative, were stalled under the previous government. We intend to revive and implement these projects to modernize our towns and cities.
Restructuring the National Fire Services Garage – To improve fleet maintenance, we are centralizing repair operations and expanding the workforce by recruiting specialized mechanical engineers with expertise in hydraulics, electrical, and electronic systems. This will ensure that fire trucks and emergency equipment are serviced efficiently and can be rapidly deployed when needed.
What are your ministry’s immediate priorities and long-term plans for addressing fire safety and infrastructure deficiencies in markets and fairs?
The recent fire incident at the Central Market in Port Louis exposed serious regulatory failings, as the market was found to be operating without a fire certificate. In response, we immediately engaged with the Municipality of Port Louis to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
A nationwide audit of all markets and fairs was subsequently conducted, revealing widespread non-compliance with fire safety standards. Alarmingly, many markets were found to lack basic fire protection measures.
Additionally, our assessment highlighted critical infrastructure deficiencies, including:
Poor ventilation and lighting
Substandard sanitation facilities
Inadequate drainage systems, leading to unsanitary conditions and persistent foul odors
Structural defects in newly built markets, which were hastily inaugurated for political reasons and lack proper stall allocations
Certain locations, such as the Mahebourg Market, face unique challenges—during high tide, sanitary facilities become unusable due to flooding. Addressing these deficiencies is a top priority, and our ministry is formulating a comprehensive action plan to implement both immediate and long-term corrective measures.
In the interim, we have taken proactive steps to enhance public safety and comfort. For example, in preparation for Maha Shivratree, we have initiated the pruning of overgrown tree branches and conducted a thorough inspection and servicing of public lighting infrastructure to ensure safe and well-lit pathways for devotees.
What are your thoughts on the future of local government in Mauritius?
The challenges facing local government are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Through strategic reforms, targeted investments, and transparent governance, we are committed to restoring efficiency, accountability, and public confidence in our municipalities and district councils. Our focus is not just on addressing immediate concerns but also on laying the groundwork for sustainable and resilient local governance that will benefit future generations.