Questions Raised as 2 Chinese Giants Bid for Massive Dam Project

Questions have been raised over the bidding process for the long-awaited Rivière-des-Anguilles dam project, one of Mauritius’s most critical water infrastructure developments, after two Chinese firms submitted multi-billion rupee bids.

Defi Media sources confirmed that the technical and financial evaluation of the bids began on 3 June, with authorities maintaining a strict deadline to commence construction before the end of 2026.

The infrastructure project is designed to combat severe water stress across the southern and south-western regions of the country, where residents face growing pressure on water resources.

The Bids and Secret Meeting Allegations

When the bidding window closed on 5 June, submissions were received from two major contenders: China International Water & Electric Corporation and Sinohydro Corporation Limited. Financial offers for the project are estimated to sit between Rs 5 billion and Rs 7 billion.

The Central Procurement Board (CPB) holds the ultimate authority on the decision. Officials have stressed that the current evaluation phase is highly confidential and strictly bound by public procurement regulations.

“We are in an evaluation phase,” an official explained. “At this stage, no one can say which company will be selected.”

The announcement comes amid government efforts to refute allegations of an undisclosed meeting between a senior government official and a Sinohydro representative during a trip to Bali, Indonesia.

Authorities clarified that the visit to Bali was part of an official mission organized and funded by the International Solar Alliance, focusing on regional solar projects for small island states, including Mauritius.

A subsequent trip to Australia by the minister was entirely personal and self-funded to visit his children, officials added.

Two Decades in the Making

The project, which has been anticipated for two decades, received a significant push in March when Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden conducted a site visit and ordered officials to accelerate all tendering procedures.

Funding for the massive reservoir has been secured through an international consortium comprising the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development.

The Mauritian Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding for the loan agreement in August 2025.

For the southern and south-western regions, the completion of the Rivière-des-Anguilles dam remains one of the most highly anticipated infrastructure landmarks in recent years.

Source: Defi Media