Khushal Lobine: 'Water Should Not Become a Political Battleground'

As Mauritius continues to grapple with chronic water shortages, intermittent supply cuts, and a crumbling distribution network, water sector specialist Khushal Lobine is urging politicians and policymakers to keep water out of partisan politics. "Water should not become a subject of political confrontation," Lobine told Le Defi Media, signalling concern that one of the island's most pressing infrastructure challenges is being treated as a political football rather than a national emergency requiring cross-party cooperation. **Why water is such a hot-button issue in Mauritius** Mauritius's water infrastructure is in a critical state. The Central Water Authority (CWA) — the state body responsible for water distribution across the island — is facing a severe financial crisis. Recent reporting has revealed a Rs 754 million operating deficit and Rs 3.46 billion in accumulated loans, while some 1,500 kilometres of ageing pipes urgently need replacing across the country. The result for ordinary Mauritians is all too familiar: scheduled water cuts, low pressure in highland areas, and supply that is unreliable particularly during dry season months. Tourism-dependent businesses, households, and farmers are all affected. Yet despite the scale of the problem, water management has increasingly become a topic of political blame — with opposition and government sides trading accusations rather than working toward structural solutions. **What Lobine's warning means** Lobine's call for depoliticisation is significant because water reform in Mauritius requires long-term planning and sustained investment that can only work if successive governments maintain the same strategic direction — regardless of which party is in power. If water policy becomes purely a campaign issue, short-term populist decisions — such as avoiding tariff adjustments or delaying costly pipe replacement programmes — can delay the structural reforms needed to give Mauritians reliable, clean water access. The CWA's debt burden also means that without a credible financial recovery plan agreed across political lines, international lenders and development partners may be reluctant to fund the infrastructure upgrades Mauritius needs. **Who is Khushal Lobine?** Khushal Lobine is a recognised voice in Mauritius on water resource management and utility governance. His public interventions typically focus on the technical and institutional dimensions of water supply, placing him outside purely partisan debate — which gives his warning added weight. **What needs to happen next** Experts and civil society groups broadly agree that Mauritius needs: a realistic CWA financial restructuring plan; an accelerated pipe replacement programme funded through a combination of government budget support and development finance; and transparent, performance-based management of the water utility. Lobine's message is clear — none of that can happen if water becomes just another arena for political point-scoring. Source: Le Defi Media