The government of Mauritius has announced plans to break up Airport Holdings Ltd, a state conglomerate that oversees the country's aviation business. Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam told Parliament on Tuesday that work has already begun to review the group and settle overlapping responsibilities and conflicts between the companies beneath it. This move aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each entity within the conglomerate.
The decision to dismantle Airport Holdings Ltd comes as the government focuses on reviving Air Mauritius, the national carrier that has been struggling financially. Air Mauritius entered voluntary administration earlier this year, which Prime Minister Ramgoolam attributed to the previous government's management. The airline was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Mauritius during its administration, and Prime Minister Ramgoolam stated that any relisting will only occur once the airline's fundamentals are solid.
In a separate development, Prime Minister Ramgoolam defended the Criminal Justice Bill, which aims to provide immunity to individuals who cooperate with authorities in crime investigations. He emphasized that "immunity is not a gift" and cited the case of Soopramanien Kistnen, an agent of the former ruling MSM party who was found dead in 2020. The opposition leader, Chetan Baboolall, supports the idea but wants to impose tight limits on the immunity offered.
A tragic incident occurred in Flacq, where a 38-year-old father of three died from burns suffered when a blue plastic drum of herbicide exploded in his yard. His 35-year-old wife was also severely burned and is scheduled to undergo three operations. The police have sealed the scene, and an inquiry is underway to determine how the drum came to blow up.
The E-Health record system, a digital patient record initiative, has surpassed 150,000 users in Mauritius. The system, which is currently live in about thirty public health facilities in the East and Centre regions, has logged over a million electronic operations. The goal of the system is to provide seamless access to patient records across different healthcare facilities.
In economic news, a new Rs 1,000 import fee has been introduced for food-clearance authorizations, which may lead to increased prices for consumers. The fee, which is charged to importers, is expected to be passed on to consumers, adding to the cost of living in Mauritius. This move comes at a time when the country is experiencing economic challenges.
Other news from around the world includes the jailing of Lina Attalah, the editor of Egypt's last big independent newsroom, Mada Masr. President Trump has offered a $1 million reward for tips on voter fraud that lead to arrests and convictions. In sports news, Kylian Mbappé lost the Ballon d'Or to Harry Kane and subsequently lost sponsorship deals with two Chinese brands after a video clip sparked controversy.
Key points
- The government of Mauritius plans to break up Airport Holdings Ltd to clarify roles and responsibilities within the conglomerate.
- Air Mauritius will need to demonstrate financial stability before it can be relisted on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
- The E-Health record system has surpassed 150,000 users in Mauritius, providing seamless access to patient records across different healthcare facilities.
