Local Mauritius

Man killed over drug related business

Roy Joynathsingh Boodhoo alias Ticou, 37, will be presented at the Rose Hill district court on Monday under a temporary charge of murder. According sources, police will object to the release on bail of the suspect. Ticou had brutally murdered former basketball player Fabrice Hungley alias Royos aged 29 on Saturday at Stanley. The victim [...]

16 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

SBI introduces online CEB billing service

State Bank of India (SBI) Mauritius, in collaboration with the Central Electricity Board (CEB) launched its online electricity bill payment system on Friday during an event in presence of Balraj Naroo, chairman of the CEB. “We have been striving to improve on our customer service and the payment of utility bills online is one of [...]

16 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

SMS up by 10 cents from Jan 15

The increase of 10 cents in the price of SMS and MMS, announced by the minister of Finance and Economic Development Xavier Luc-Duval in the 2011-12 budget, will be effective from January 15. A regular SMS will now cost 70 cents instead of existing 60 cents. At the cheque donation ceremony held on Thursday in [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Island wins top World Travel Award

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority’s (MTPA) efforts to promote the island as a dream destination paid off. It retained the crown of the World’s Leading Island Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the third consecutive year. The vent was held at the Katara Cultural Village, Qatar on Wednesday. The president and founder of the [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Fish fingerlings released in Blue Bay marine park

The Ministry of Fisheries is taking initiatives to revive Mauritian lagoons. Some 25,000 fish fingerlings were released on Thursday in the Blue Bay Marine Park and La Cambuse, which is an integrated part of the Blue Bay Marine Park. This was done in the presence of the minister of Fisheries, Nicolas Von Mally and the [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Boolell, Winkler discuss piracy

The ambassador of Denmark, Thomas Winkler met Foreign Affairs minister Arvin Boolell on Thursday to discuss maritime piracy off the Somali coast. “There is a commitment on behalf of all African coastal region countries and the international community to fight piracy. Guidelines are being set up with the support of director of public prosecution’s office. [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Mare aux Vacoas gets only 9.4 mm during downpour

Despite the heavy rainfall on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the region of Mare of Vacoas registered only 9.4 mm. Hence Mare aux Vacoas reservoir was filled at only 25 per cent on Thursday. According to a forecaster of the Mauritius Meteorological Station, this is due to climate change. Meanwhile, Piton du Milieu is filled [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

PM holds high level talks with MMM, Sithanen

Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam held high level talks at Clarisse House, his official residence in Vacoas, on Thursday. In fact, the PM and the deputy prime minister Dr Rashid Beebeejaun received their opposite numbers of the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), leader Paul Bérenger and his deputy Alan Ganoo. Rama Sithanen, who is shuttling between [...]

13 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Gas cylinder to cost Rs 43 more to STC

The 12-kg cylinder of household gas will now cost the State Trading Corporation (STC) Rs 43 more. From Rs 497 the price has gone up to Rs 540. If the government continues to keep the price at Rs 300 for the consumer, the STC will have to look for Rs 820 million in the form [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Shell’s new barge awaits inspection

Shell’s (Vivo Energy) latest acquisition, a brand new double hull barge of 850 metric tonnes deadweight, the ‘Tristar Glory’, reached Mauritius on January 6. It was launched on December 6 and left for Mauritius from Turkey amidst a convoy on December 13 via Suez Canal, Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to avoid piracy area [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

What next for UK race relations

Chronology A defenceless and promising ‘A’ Level student, Stephen Lawrence was killed as he waited for a bus in April 1993. More than 18 years went past to bring the killers to justice. The 18-year-old is stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths as he waits for a bus [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

‘Law tough on Subutex’

Senior Counsel Gavin Glover criticised the Dangerous Drug Act 2008 in the Subutex trafficking case involving Mohamed Komul Jamil at the Assizes on Wednesday. “Parliament had used its prerogative to suddenly render what was acceptable as unacceptable,” said Glover. He was representing Jamil who is accused of importing 8,729 Subutex tablets worth Rs 10 million [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Cases of food poisoning on rise

The government has the responsibility of protecting the health and safety of the population. In Mauritius, food control is monitored under different legislations such as the Local Government Act, Meat Act and Food Act. However, it is the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life that has the responsibility to monitor the quality of good. [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Ministry to start building two eco villages

Environmental sustainability will be the main focus of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development this year. It will be going forward with the construction of two eco villages at Pointe aux Piments and Panchavati. To recall, nine villages, including Pointe aux Piments, Panchavati, Vieux Grand Port, Vuillemin, La Gaulette / Le Morne, Poudre d’Or, [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Std I, Form I admissions begin

The 2012 school calendar started on Wednesday for 15,230 pupils of Standard I and 13,760 students of Form I. This is a different experience for them, as they will have to adapt to a new environment and people. Many parents took a day off to accompany their wards to the new schools to complete the [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Kreol Morisien introduced in Std 1

Introducing Kreol Morisien in primary schools is a major milestone in the history of Mauritius. To mark this achievement, a ceremony was held on Wednesday at Le Morne Government School in the presence of the minister of Education and Human Resources, Dr Vasant Bunwaree. The education minister wants to make sure that the language is [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

CTSP to stage monthly protest against minister

A press conference was held on Wednesday by the Confédération des Travailleurs du secteur privé (CTSP) at Marie Reine de la Paix social centre, Port Louis. The aim was to discuss about the problems that employees in the private sector are facing and also the activities that will take place every month. “We will carry [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

MMM, MSM: 2000 alliance remake still on

Paul Berenger is very optimistic after meeting Ashock Jugnauth and Eric Guimbeau on Monday; he met Pravind Jugnauth, leader of the MSM, at his home, Riverwalk on Tuesday. He is planning to meet the PM on January 12. Berenger said that, “The meeting will deal with the electoral system related to the Best Loser System [...]

12 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

UoM vice-chancellor Morgan resigns

After two years at the head of the University of Mauritius (UoM), vice-chancellor Professor Konrad Morgan submitted his resignation letter on Monday. The reason behind his resignation is said to be personal. Contacted by phone, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the UoM, Professor Soodursun Jugessur confirmed that he took note of the resignation letter on [...]

11 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

FTU stages protest, fights for laid-off workers

Employees of KS Building Construction claimed that they were arbitrarily laid off in December. They thus staged a demonstration in front of the offices of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Port Louis on Tuesday. Twelve employees wanted their former employer to acknowledge their years of service and pay them accordingly and requested [...]

11 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily