GOVERNMENT LAND SURVEYED FOR SUB-DIVISIONS

THE Government Lands Department is surveying state land with the aim of providing the Land Bank with more plots for housing and other purposes.

Sub-divisions are being carried out in most districts of Mahe and also on Praslin. In most electoral areas, the sub-divisions are between 10 and 20 parcels. But in Bel Ombre, more precisely at Beau-Bel, this totals 64 parcels, while St Louis has only 5 to date.

There are plans to survey 20 plots at Beau Vallon, 17 at Union Vale ( English River), 13 at Morne Blanc ( Port Glaud), 14 at Au Cap 16 at Takamaka and 18 at Cayole, Anse Aux Pins.

In Praslin there are plans for 10 sub-divisions at St Sauveur as well as a few others at Amitie in the district of Grand Anse. Other sub-divisions are planned at Val D'en D'Or ( Baie Lazare), Barbarons ( Grand Anse Mahe), Cascade and Petit Paris, Sorrento ( Glacis) and Copolia ( Plaisance).

The District Administration Office will decide who will get the plots. Usually, they are card-carrying SPPF supporters.

Occasionally someone from the opposition might strike gold. Such was the case for SNP and Opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan, some years ago who obtained over 1,000 sq metres from the land bank at Anse Royale - for only R35,000, a tiny fraction of the market value; a few rupees shy of a cool million today, considering its within walking distance to one of Mahe's finest beach. But most other SNP supporters will never have the luck of Ramkalawan. That is what the SPPF called " strategy".

It is also planned to survey 9 more plots at Providence. These will not be for residential purposes and it is unclear what they have been earmarked for.

While some small entrepreneurs have obtained land on the reclamation at Providence, large areas of the beachscape have gone to the high and mighty, who have put up large buildings and blocks of flats. The building housing the AIRTEL main office is one concrete example. A stone's throw away is a block of luxury flats near the sea, owned by the same group of people, who enjoy a superb view of the St Anne Marine Park, five minutes drive to Victoria or the airport.

Among other prominent persons having obtained land at Providence is Roche Caiman MNA Geovanna Charles, who is already living in her double-storey house near the ocean. Others include former PS Gerard Lafortune; former SMB boss Mukesh Valabhji and Casino and property tycoon Vaithunasamy Ramadoss, whose plans are at yet unclear.