Rodrigues: Roussety Challenges Regional Authority but Collides with Central Government

The regional government of Rodrigues is embroiled in a dramatic crisis. An explosive scene unfolded on Friday, 7th February, during the Executive Council meeting, coinciding with the announcement of the Rodrigues award winners. It was here that Assistant Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety attempted a bold manoeuvre by calling for the dissolution of the Rodrigues Public Utilities Corporation (RPUC).

His claim? The board members allegedly refused to comply with his orders, despite his insistence on having full political authority over their decisions.

But the Executive Council was not prepared to accept his demand.

With firm opposition and under the leadership of Chief Commissioner Franceau Aubrey Grandcourt, the proposal for dissolution was swiftly rejected.

Grandcourt urged Roussety to engage in dialogue and work collaboratively with the board members.

This call for reason landed like a bombshell. Roussety stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him and unleashing a stream of curses—a shocking affront to the executive members.

Defiantly resisting the authority of his own regional government, Johnson Roussety summoned a press conference at his office in Baie-Lascars.

There, he proclaimed himself the “chief architect of the regional government alliance,” condemning a system he claimed was intent on suffocating his ambitious water management reforms.

He lamented the lack of support and accused certain government members of attempting to sabotage his initiatives.

Roussety singled out the RPUC, labelling it a “scapegoat,” insisting that it was not he, but this body, that should be dismissed!

He didn’t hesitate to criticise the board’s chairman, Claude Wong So, accusing him of obstructing crucial changes and ignoring his vision.

In light of this impasse, he issued an ultimatum: “Either I go, or the board goes!”

In an official letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, the judgement came down hard: Johnson Roussety had misinterpreted the law!

The letter stated that under Regulation 17, a commissioner may issue political directives but holds no authority to appoint or dismiss board members.

That power lies solely with the Executive Council, based on recommendations from the relevant commissioner.

This was a severe blow for Roussety, leaving him politically isolated.

Tensions within the governing alliance have reached a boiling point, revealing deep fractures in regional governance.

As the Regional Assembly convened last Tuesday, 18 February, the opposition wasted no time in demanding clarity.

Faced with probing questions, Johnson Roussety downplayed the incident, claiming he merely “invited” board members to resign, rather than issuing a direct order.

Yet, he stoked further controversy by declaring there were too many members of Mauritian descent sitting on the board.

The opposition shot back: “You were the one who agreed to accept these members. Now you criticise them!”

However, this saga is far from over. Political observers are deeply concerned about a potential implosion of the regional government, given the palpable tensions.

Source: Le Mauricien