The Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, effected, this afternoon, a site visit at the Bambous Virieux Fisheries Post. The aim of the visit was to take stock of embellishment and electrical works, among others, which were undertaken by detainees of Riche Lieu Prison at the Fisheries Post.

The Acting Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Jaganaden Rungadoo, and other personalities were present on the occasion.

In a statement, Mr Maudhoo highlighted that his Ministry requested the assistance of the Mauritius Prison Service, through the Prime Minister’s Office, to undertake refurbishment works at various Fisheries Posts around the island. He pointed out that works had already been carried out at Grand River South East and these included plumbing, painting, metal and embellishment works.

The Minister underscored that despite having taken a wrong decision in their lives, detainees were talented and displayed great skills in different manual works. He observed that detainees also embellished public beaches, and such activities would be ongoing, as works were being carried out at a much lower price and more rapidly than if a contractor was appointed.

As for Mr Rungadoo, he outlined that a team of Prison Officers and 10 detainees from the Riche Lieu Prison had been carrying out embellishment and electrical installation works at the Bambous Virieux Fisheries Post. “Other works,” he underlined, “included: the installation of a water tank and a water pump; and the fixing of hand rails.”

“All these activities,” he stressed, “have been undertaken in line with the Pay Back Mauritius Project, under the ‘Rehabilitation and Resettlement’ pillar of Strategic Plan 2013-2023.” He added that detainees were thus given the opportunity to learn and carry out a manual work, enabling them to repay their debt to society.