Morcellement La-Vallée’s 200 Residents Await Building Permits: 10-Year Delay

In the heart of Le-Cornu lies Morcellement La-Vallée, where a community of 200 residents has been left in limbo, yearning for the elusive building permits that have remained just out of reach for the past ten years.

Among them is Faizana Beeharry, a local resident who has invested her hopes and savings into a small plot of land, dreaming of constructing a home for her family. Yet, a decade has slipped by without the green light from the Port-Louis municipality.

Resident’s Struggle

“I am not a wealthy person,” Faizana lamented, her voice tinged with frustration.

“I saved diligently to purchase this land for my children, who are now married. It is incredibly difficult to wait ten years for a building permit.”

In the meantime, she can only tend to her land sporadically, clinging to the hope that the local authorities will soon grant her the permission she so desperately seeks.

Shared Despair

Faizana is not alone in her plight. Shahine, another resident, shares a similar story of despair.

“I have shed tears at the Port-Louis municipality. They treat me like a mere pawn. I even urged my fellow residents to vote for the previous government, hoping for change.

Now, whenever I encounter a former MP to whom I voiced my concerns, I remind them: ‘You ignored our grievances. Where have you gone?'”

The frustration of these residents echoes throughout the community, as they collectively await the permits that would allow them to build their futures.

Government Response

The Minister of Housing and Lands, Shakeel Mohamed, recently visited the Port-Louis-Maritime and Port-Louis East constituencies, accompanied by Regional Administration Minister Ranjiv Woochit and parliamentarians Eshan Juman and Anabelle Savabaddy. During this visit, he addressed the ongoing issue.

“These individuals have invested significant sums in purchasing land for themselves and their children,” he stated.

“Regrettably, they are unable to proceed with construction due to the absence of building permits.

I have learned that it was the previous government’s cabinet that imposed a freeze on Le-Cornu, declaring that no construction should take place and that no permits would be issued.

This is why the Port-Louis municipality is unable to grant building permits in this area.

The Jugnauth government has effectively prevented the municipality from issuing permits to landowners in Morcellement La-Vallée, applying a blanket freeze without considering individual circumstances. This is not a humane solution.”

A Glimmer of Hope

In response to the ongoing crisis, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has urged Shakeel Mohamed to seek a resolution.

“I must say that we will soon publish reports from the Land Drainage Authority. We are aware that some individuals have quietly obtained their building permits,” he hinted, leaving the community with a glimmer of hope amidst their prolonged struggle.

Addressing Flooding Concerns

Residents of the locality have voiced their distress over the persistent flooding that plagues the area during heavy downpours.

The Minister has assured them that measures are to be taken, with plans for the construction of basins designed to collect water flowing from the nearby mountain range.

This water will subsequently be channeled into drains, thereby significantly reducing the velocity of the flowing water and, in turn, the risk of flooding.

The Minister confidently stated that this initiative would empower residents to build homes on their plots of land.

“Should it be necessary to acquire land for the realization of this project, the government will proceed, prioritizing the preservation of human life and the safeguarding of land investments,” he declared.

Collaboration and Community Input

Furthermore, he emphasized that the government would not tolerate any delays in the construction of the two basins intended to capture water in this area.

“Collaboration with the landowners is essential for this to proceed,” he insisted.

Local resident Mohamed Baichoo raised a pertinent question regarding the destination of the water that will be collected. In response, the Minister clarified that these basins are not merely Absorption Pits.

“These basins will effectively regulate the speed at which water is discharged into them,” he explained.

Baichoo, who has returned to Mauritius after 21 years in France, expressed his commitment to the nation’s progress.

“I have come back to open a hardware store here and have constructed twelve apartments on an acre and a half of land.

This store would have served as a supply point for cement and steel bars for my apartment project. I am confident that the government will take action on our behalf,” he stated.

The Minister reiterated that the government possesses the solution to this pressing issue.

Other residents took the opportunity to highlight the acute shortage of streetlights in the area, lamenting that numerous requests to the Port-Louis municipality have gone unanswered.

Source: Le Mauricien