Black River’s New President Seeks Stricter Real Estate Development Oversight

Kemraz Ortoo, the newly elected president of the Black River District Council, is taking on a critical issue: the management of development permits in the western region of Mauritius. In light of controversial projects and suspicions of questionable practices, he has vowed to implement significant reforms aimed at establishing a more transparent and equitable governance framework.

In his inaugural public statement, Ortoo expressed unwavering determination:

“We must treat citizens with civility and respect. Past mistakes must be corrected, as the residents deserve an administration that meets their expectations.”

This statement came at a time of widespread distrust regarding development initiatives in the area.

One of the notable controversies involved the Legend Hill project in 2021, which planned to construct 23 luxury villas and various recreational spaces on the slopes of La Tourelle.

This proposal faced strong opposition primarily due to its potential environmental and social impacts.

Local residents, including social activist Percy Yip Tong, organized numerous protests in 2021 to voice their concerns over the project.

Additionally, other developments located in environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands and heritage sites, have also been accused of circumventing regulations set by the Rivière-Noire District Council.

Ending the Veil of Secrecy

President Kemraz Ortoo has committed to thoroughly reviewing the permits already granted and investigating any possible irregularities.

“If established criteria have not been met, consequences will follow. We must maintain a balance between development and environmental protection,” he stated.

Areas such as Flic-en-Flac, Tamarin, and Le Morne will be under particular scrutiny.

An insider from the District Council has highlighted “political influence” as a key factor in the approval of certain permits.

In response to these allegations, Ortoo reaffirmed his commitment to operate “within the law and with transparency.”

Beyond scrutinizing development permits, the management of public beaches in the west—particularly in Albion, Flic-en-Flac, and La Prairie—will be strengthened through close collaboration with the Beach Authority and the Ministry of Environment.

The president is also looking to revitalize local sports, with plans to reinstate the Western Games, which have been on hold for about a decade, and to renovate the Germain Commarmond Stadium in Bambous for the occasion.

An Ambitious Roadmap

Kemraz Ortoo has further pledged to enhance the working conditions for council employees to boost their engagement and effectiveness.

“I will do everything possible to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve,” he assured.

He is resolute in his mission to put an end to chaotic urbanization and restore the trust of Rivière-Noire residents in their administration.

By addressing past shortcomings, he hopes to build a fairer and more harmonious community.

Activist Concerns

Social activist Percy Yip Tong has called for a halt to the issuance of permits for real estate projects in the West.

“I urge the Rivière-Noire District Council to slow down the granting of permits for these developments. The construction of villas and other projects will inevitably lead to an increase in population, resulting in a surge of vehicles and monstrous traffic jams in areas like Cascavelle, Tamarin, and Rivière-Noire,” he warned.

Yip Tong estimated that this densification could introduce at least 3,000 additional cars, potentially adding an hour to daily traffic delays.

“The situation will become unbearable. The District Council must act responsibly in issuing permits,” he pleaded.

Source: Defi Media