Mauritius on its knees because of expenses, PM

Mauritius is on its knees because of expenses incurred during the two lockdowns, according to PM Pravind Jugnauth. He was commenting on the country’s economic situation at a gathering on the national Ganesh Chaturthi holiday celebrations.

“There is no cake anymore. We have lost the lead we had for decades. We’ve gone back. But we still have to live with the COVID-19 virus,” he was quoted as saying in Defi Media. “We must restart all sectors of the economy.”

He hit at those who “cannot see” what is happening.

“We cannot afford to confine the country again. It’s the opposite that must be done. The borders will reopen under certain conditions. We need to ensure that the country generates income again,” Jugnauth said.

Alan Ganoo, the Minister of Transport and Light Rail defended the Wage Assistance Scheme and Self-Employed Assistance Scheme.

“Our situation is difficult but still much better than other countries,” he said.

“Some Rs 25 billion have been disbursed as WAS and SEAS. The government spent a lot of money on the purchase of vaccines. We must be delighted that the health crisis has been well managed and that everything has been done so that Mauritians can lead a normal life,” he claimed.