A Court of investigation to be set up

GIS – 26 August 2020:
‘A preliminary enquiry will soon be concluded and its findings will
determine a comprehensive set of terms of reference which would be presented
before a Court of investigation. This Court of investigation, with at its helm an Official of the judiciary, will shed light on
the circumstances that led to the grounding of MV Wakashio at Pointe d’Esny’.

This statement was
made, yesterday, by the Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food
Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, during a press conference held at the New Treasury
Building, in Port Louis. The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr
Georges Pierre Lesjongard, and the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community
Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, were present.

The Attorney General highlighted
that Government’s priority is to set up the Court of investigation at the
earliest. Consultations are ongoing to designate the judicial Officer at this stage, he
indicated.

Speaking about claims
to be made to the bulk carrier’s insurer, Mr Gobin underscored that Government
will seek assistance of two experts.  An
environmental and social assessment of the oil spill will be carried out by one
expert, while the other one will deal with the legal claims, he pointed out. The
terms of reference are being worked out for the appointment of these experts,
he added.

Furthermore, the Attorney
General underlined that Government will consult other Small Island Developing
States to request exemptions or special provisions in international laws with
regards to maritime safety.  These
exemptions and special provisions will help in further protecting the territorial
waters of Mauritius, he stated.

For his part,
Minister Lesjongard, expressed confidence that the enquiry will help to
determine the causes that led to the grounding of MV Wakashio.  He also reassured that necessary measures will
be implemented to effectively deal with the ecological disaster that resulted
from the wrecking.

As for Minister
Hurreeram, he recalled that those people who have suffered losses and have been
adversely affected by the grounding of the bulk carrier have been requested to
submit their claims and the registration process is currently ongoing.  Government will do its utmost best to assist
all those who are affected by this ecological catastrophe, he emphasised.

Government Information Service, Prime
Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius.
Email: gis@govmu.org  Website: http://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov

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