Rs 51 Million Wasted: Taxpayers Hit With Bill for Vacant Diplomatic Homes

Mauritian taxpayers have been hit with a bill of over Rs 51 million for rent on temporary diplomatic residences, as government-owned properties abroad sit vacant or are left in disrepair. A recent audit revealed that bureaucratic failures and costly delays have led to millions in wasted funds on buildings in London, Washington, and Paris, among other cities. The total includes Rs 8.9 million for an apartment in Paris, Rs 18 million for the Washington ambassador’s residence, and Rs 24.2 million for the High Commissioner’s residence in London.

London, Washington, and Paris Properties Costing a Fortune

The residence of the High Commissioner in London, located at Flat 8, 29 Braham Gardens, has been unoccupied since January 2019, with repeated procurement procedure failures delaying its renovation.

This has resulted in a staggering Rs 24.2 million being spent on alternative housing from July 2021 to June 2024.

In Washington, the ambassador’s residence, a 12,180 sq. ft. property, has been largely unused despite Rs 2.2 million being spent on renovations in April 2021.

The building’s disuse has led to a 367% increase in insurance premiums, costing $38,766 between 2021 and 2025.

In Paris, a government-owned apartment in the Tour Totem has been vacant since June 2017 due to failed renovation procedures, leading to Rs 8.9 million in rental costs since 2019.

Unused Land and Unoccupied Buildings

The government has also failed to develop properties acquired years ago. Land for a new embassy in New Delhi, purchased in 2000, and for a chancery in Madagascar, acquired in 2018, remain unused.

Despite Rs 42.5 million and Rs 24 million, respectively, being allocated for these projects since 2016, no construction has started.

An additional Rs 27.5 million for the modernisation of the New Delhi chancery and staff residence, allocated since 2021, also remains untouched.

In Addis Ababa, a newly completed six-story building valued at Rs 238 million, has an entire floor reserved for the ambassador’s residence that has been unoccupied since June 2022, leading to Rs 8.4 million in rent for a temporary home.

The lease for the temporary residence was recently renewed for three months at a cost of $19,500.

Vehicle and Other Costs

The audit also highlighted a failure to comply with established cost ceilings for official vehicles.

While embassies are permitted a representation vehicle with a cap of Rs 3.8 million and a service vehicle with a cap of Rs 2 million, the report notes these limits are not always respected.

Source: l’Express