The State Land’s Organised Leak

Editorial

Deputy Prime Minister Steven Obeegadoo, who also holds the portfolios of Housing, Land Use Planning, and Tourism, has become the victim of what appears to be an organised leak regarding an application made by his mother, Primerose Obeegadoo, to alter the lease of State land originally held by his father for educational purposes to allow the construction of a home for the elderly. This type of leak is usually orchestrated by individuals or groups within or outside the government to expose what they perceive to be controversial land deals, often implicating politicians, political cronies, or influential figures, and its purpose may be to influence public opinion, create political pressure, or undermine opponents or even party colleagues by revealing perceived favouritism, corruption, or unethical practices related to the distribution or use of state lands.

Minister Obeegadoo denies that any special consideration was given to the application and, to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, he renounced his inheritance rights. He was also absent from the Cabinet meeting that approved the change of purpose for the lease. However, Steven Obeegadoo, along with Alan Ganoo, is a leader of Linite Militant, which, like other potential allies of Pravind Jugnauth, is currently negotiating with the MSM to possibly review the terms of the alliance that brought former MMM figures like Alan Ganoo, Ivan Collendavelloo, and Steven Obeegadoo himself under the MSM-led alliance in the 2019 elections. Finding himself in this predicament at a time when the MSM-Linite Militant negotiations remain unresolved, especially as the MSM leader appears to favour a more productive alliance with his new ally, Xavier Duval’s PMSD, complicates matters for Obeegadoo and Ganoo, who also faces challenges in securing favourable constituencies for his trusted and close party members.

There is no suggestion that Steven Obeegadoo would be involved in the kind of controversial “transactions” that have made headlines in the past. He asserts that his conscience is clear, yet this embarrassing situation for him personally and in his capacity of leader of Linite Militant once again brings the long-standing State lands saga to the forefront. It is possible that this may not be the last of such controversies, whether real or perceived. Given the persistence of these alleged “transactions” where State lands have been distributed to political cronies, supporters, and close associates of those in power, without any corrective measures by successive governments, the public has come to assume that such questionable practices will continue unchecked.Read More… Become a Subscriber

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 20 September 2024