The brand new terminal at the SSR international airport is by all counts something that was required for the purpose of upgrading the old infrastructure and for catering to the needs of modern travellers. All over the world there is fierce competition in making airports attractive and customer- friendly. Time will tell whether the new infrastructure meets these criteria.

Nevertheless there is an affliction which persists in Mauritius and that is the unwillingness of all Ministers of Finance to allocate adequate resources to maintain and upgrade existing buildings or other infrastructure. It is only when nothing can be done that funds are found to rehabilitate the decrepit buildings. One only has to go to the Dialysis centre at SSRN Hospital to realize how buildings that are part of the national heritage are left in a state that is worse than deplorable. These buildings are treasures which are not appreciated as such.

The new airport terminal stands out by its lighting which adds to its attraction. But lights can be delightful only when they are in working order. It is unacceptable that just a couple of weeks since its opening there already are light bulbs which are out of order in the airport terminal. The maintenance team is either not looking up and therefore not doing what it is expected and paid to do or it does not care. This is the way that leads to the downward trend towards decrepitude. By the way it seems that some people took notice of what I had written some time back that Mauritius is the only airport in the world where there is no possibility of dropping someone without having to pay the infamous MUR 20 as parking. There is a drop off without any fee.

The new airport will help in improving the welcome for tourists and they will be happy to see that Mauritius has facilities that are up to international standards. But it is also likely that some of the tourists will be placed in situations either by being victims of some criminal acts or being themselves involved in matters which can necessitate a visit to the Courts. Should that happen all the positive image which they had of this ‘‘plaisir’’ country on their arrival at the new airport will dissipate and they will immediately jump to the conclusion that the airport is just a showcase. The courts in the rural areas in Mauritius are relics of the past which ought to be cherished as monuments of our heritage. But the state in which they are is shameful and disgraceful. There are courts which are not even adequate for accommodating the judicial officer and the staff but the authorities expect that the administration can still function in those conditions.

In the New Court House in Port-Louis there is space for three lifts. Since the commissioning of that building more than 20 years ago there are only two lifts when there should have been three. All those who have had the occasion to go to that building know that at present there is only one lift which is operational. This has been the case for years with all sorts of inconvenience to the ordinary folk who attend that building.

The thrust of today’s piece is to appeal to the Minister of Finance that he must pay special attention to maintenance of public infrastructure.