Mauritius Water Tank Scheme: Lawyer Defends Suppliers Over Profit Claims
Lawyer Arassen Kallee argues that supplying 35,000 tanks in a short timeframe is a genuine logistical challenge, not a matter of greed.
A public dispute has broken out in Mauritius over the government's Water Tank Grant Scheme, with lawyer Arassen Kallee pushing back against criticism directed at suppliers enrolled in the programme.
Speaking on ION News on Thursday 12 November, Kallee took issue with comments made by minister Patrick Assirvaden, who had suggested that some suppliers in the scheme were prioritising profit over delivery. Kallee argued that this framing was unfair and called for the debate to be kept out of politics.
The Water Tank Grant Scheme is a government initiative that provides eligible households in Mauritius with subsidised water storage tanks. The programme is intended to help residents cope with water supply interruptions, which are a recurring problem in several parts of the island, particularly during dry periods.
At the centre of the controversy is an order for 35,000 tanks. Kallee said this figure represents a significant production challenge for local and regional manufacturers, who must rapidly scale up output within tight deadlines. He argued that it is simply not realistic to expect suppliers to absorb such a sudden surge in demand without facing difficulties.
Kallee also pointed to rising freight costs as a factor pushing up expenses for suppliers. With global shipping rates having increased sharply in recent years, importing raw materials or finished goods to Mauritius costs considerably more than it did before. He said these additional costs are unavoidable and should be factored into any honest assessment of the situation.
For Kallee, the core message is that economic realities must be acknowledged. Blaming manufacturers for the challenges they face in fulfilling an unusually large government order, he argued, is neither fair nor constructive.
What this means: The Water Tank Grant Scheme is a welfare and infrastructure programme that directly affects thousands of Mauritian households. When disputes arise between the government and its suppliers, delays or shortfalls in delivery can leave families waiting longer for equipment they may urgently need. The disagreement between Kallee and Minister Assirvaden reflects a broader tension in public procurement: balancing the government's expectation of fast, affordable delivery against the practical limits of what suppliers can achieve. For residents enrolled in the scheme, the outcome of this debate has real consequences for when, and whether, they receive their tanks.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Water Tank Grant Scheme in Mauritius?β
The Water Tank Grant Scheme is a Mauritian government programme that provides eligible households with subsidised water storage tanks. It is designed to help residents manage interruptions to their water supply, which are common in parts of the island, especially during dry seasons.
Why is there a dispute over the 35,000 tank order in Mauritius?β
Minister Patrick Assirvaden raised concerns that some suppliers in the scheme were prioritising profits. Lawyer Arassen Kallee responded that producing 35,000 tanks on short notice is a genuine logistical challenge for manufacturers, made harder by rising global freight costs, and that the issue should not be politicised.
How do rising freight costs affect the Water Tank Grant Scheme?β
Many goods in Mauritius, including manufacturing materials, are imported by sea. Global shipping rates have risen significantly in recent years, increasing the cost of supplying products to the island. Kallee argues these extra costs are unavoidable and must be considered when evaluating supplier pricing under the scheme.
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