The WakashioBites Back!

Opinion

By Jan Arden

CitizenPravind Kumar Jugnauth will now have time, away from sycophants and a previously regal posse of advisors, to reflect on the series of events that led to his government and the MSM being viewed as unwelcome by the electorate, ultimately resulting in their rejection after just one term in office.Many observers might say the writings were on the wall since the historical demonstration in the capital organised by NGOs where the now-famous local version of “Boot Him Out” was coined and loudly chanted under the august windows of the Treasury Building in the wake of the shockingly lackadaisical handling of the Wakashio maritime disaster in 2020.

“The Wakashio maritime disaster in 2020 was a catastrophic event where foreign interests – a Japanese built, owned, operated and insured vessel that ran aground on our south-east coast coral reefs, which it never should have been close to and which our radars, coast guards and national security agencies should have prevented. Evidence indicates that Mauritius was very well equipped; the event did not come as a surprise and the large ship’s trajectory away from the safe international passageway was known for days. Importantly, the country had dealt with similar incidents very successfully before…” 

This was a disaster where foreign interests – a Japanese built, owned, operated and insured vessel that ran aground on our south-east coast coral reefs, which it never should have been close to and which our radars, coast guards and national security agencies should have prevented. Evidence indicates that Mauritius was very well equipped; the event did not come as a surprise and the large ship’s trajectory away from the safe international passageway was known for days. Importantly, the country had dealt with similar incidents very successfully before.

To this day, many questions remain unanswered about that tragedy, some forever sunk in the Indian Ocean. In a ghastly twist, four unfortunate crew members of the Sir Gaetan Duval tug from the East coast had also lost their lives in the aftermath of that disaster.

It may have been a shock to MSM electoral strategists that Wakashio came back with such a ferocious bite, as no threats and bullying, no promises, dish-outs or financial pledges from empty state coffers and mountainous public debts could buck the angry nationalistic trend from those early days. That anger would of course be reinforced by the dubious cover-ups in the suspicious murder of MSM chief agent Kistnen in Moka cane fields in the PM’s own constituency.

In the follow-up atmosphere of oppression and numerous scandals yet to be properly unearthed, one could sense the rhythmic tunes of “Les Misérables” echoing silently in thousands of hearts:
“Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.”

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What now? Clean the Augean stables!

After the thumping majority handed to the Quad forces of Labour Party, Mouvement Militant Maurician, Nouveaux Démocrates and Resistans ek Alternativ, under the unifying quadricolour flag, many are the expectations from all quarters, some impatiently demanding the pound of flesh.

There is a strong call for defaulters, scammers, and the corrupt that blithely plunged their hands into state coffers be properly investigated. This must be done not as an act of political vendetta or a witch hunt, as seen in past years since 2015, but with impartiality, ensuring that justice is served without fear or favour.

Equally, there is a call for political appointees at all levels — including CEOs, Directors-General, and Boards — to vacate their offices without delay and without angling for some reprieve, undignified handshake or turn-coat appeals. Officers in Charge (OICs) can oversee operations until the government appoints the most qualified individuals to these critical roles. Institutions like the MBC, Mauritius Telecom, Air Mauritius, State Bank, Ports and Airport, investigative agencies, Public Service and Disciplined Forces Commissions, Electoral Commission, and SICOM stand out as priority areas demanding immediate and thoughtful attention.

Up till now, moving albeit cautiously, the mix of experience and youth in appointments for Cabinet and ministerial duties or those designated to key posts have been generally welcomed: the President Dharam Gokhool, the CP Rampersad Sooroojbally, Attorney-General Gavin Glover, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Sec-Cab amongst others.

A necessary reorganisation is under way at Police Headquarters which has to tackle several high-profile cases swept under the carpet. This includes instances where the former police hierarchy outrightly refused to conduct proper investigations, as requested by a presiding court magistrate and even the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). One notable example is the cold-blooded murder of MSM activist Soopramanien Kistnen, which demands thorough and transparent investigation.

Despite all this, it remains somewhat baffling and even irksome that many posts are still being manned by appointees of the MSM’s “La Kwizin”. The Augean stables need cleaning!

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State finances and iconic promises

The Ministry of Finance and the economic team at Bank of Mauritius and PMO will be busy scanning the real state of the Mauritian economy and fish out real figures from the rosy but discredited ones dished about by former Minister Padayachy. They obviously have to take stock before addressing the iconic promises of a lowering of pump-fuel prices and a one-off fourteenth month to those who suffered the most, without endangering the survival of SMEs.

The gradual re-evaluation of the rupee would alleviate scarcity of forex in the market and, with lowered diesel prices, reduce the inflationary prices in grocery stores and supermarkets. Any call for making the 14th month a regular annual feature costing some Rs 5 billion, without even considering gains in output and productivity, sounds like sheer demagoguery at this stage.

In the medium term, the authorities should emphasize the re-industrialisation of Mauritius and actively seek or promote new pillars of growth to stop relying on easy property sales and reduce the yawning gap between imports and exports. The Economic Development Board, in its current form and function, should be seriously revamped; several entrepreneurs have turned their backs on us when faced with the questions from courtiers and intrigants hovering at the institution.

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Correcting the fundamentals!

Among symbolic measures of significance to the Mauritian public, the Pomponettebeach, a rare relaxation area for the general public, would be reclaimed as public beach and, hopefully, fitted with decently maintained public amenities. All Ministers would be poring over the legacy of their predecessors, especially those most concerned by the parlous state of our roads and drains infrastructure in view of the cyclonic or heavy rains period ahead. Others should be busy preparing the legislative changes to make the whimsical postponement of regional elections a thing of the past and encourage women participation by the same token.

Scorched earth policies are one thing, but challenges and pitfalls lie in every Ministry. At Health, Minister Anil Baichoo will have his hands full dealing with the hubris of the previous regime.  At Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell has been there before and has the experience to bring innovation and concrete help to his portfolio. At Education, the designated Minister, MahendGungaparsad, has the innate ability to listen to all stakeholders over the derelict, exam-ridden, competitive spirit of mainstream education which labels 30% or more of our children as failures.

That elitist philosophy, cloaked in empty rhetoric, was evidenced in the new exam introduced at the NCE, the obnoxious extended stream and its predictably dismal results and the arrogant dismissal of children with only 3 credits to pursue their studies. This cannot be addressed with mere band-aid solutions to an overwhelming failure. We certainly deserve better as a nation!

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 6 December 2024