Weather: the New Radar in 2015

Following negotiations the government, Japan has granted a 'grant' of Rs 400 million for the construction of 'New Radar Tower Building', which will be operational in March 2015. Navin Ramgoolam, following the signing of the MoU, said that since 2005, the government began negotiations for the acquistion of this unit. "This project will cost Rs 400 million and the government will be a small cost to the building. We also need to maintain the equipment. My visit to Japan went well and this is the first time I went to the Japan International Corperation Agency. We had long discussions on several issues with Japanese Prime Minister. I also had a meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations during which several issues were discussed, "said Navin Ramgoolam.

Navin Ramgoolam: "Our success sometimes punishes us"

Responding to questions from journalists shortly after the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Japan on Monday to acquire the radar weather, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said that Mauritius is sometimes a victim of its success.

"Given that the country has experienced an economic success and is in the category 'upper middle income', it is not eligible for some aid. The French Development Agency (AFD) was once present in the country, but once one is found in the category 'upper middle income country', the AFD has left the country. At the time, after my re-election, I had spoken to French President Jacques Chirac to reconsider our country and not to penalize us because of our success. but we must face the facts: Given our success, it is not eligible for certain types of aid, "he said.

The prime minister also said that Mauritius and Japan enjoy excellent relations. "We've already had the support of the Japan International Corperation Agency in areas such as erosion and all to the sewer. In Japan, I also discussed various areas of cooperation. This is the grant of Rs 400 million that will build the New Radar Tower Building. In 2000, the old radar images were not good, and in 2003 the weather had informed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) of the need for a new radar. Since 2005, we began negotiations, and this project will now be realized. The new radar will be operational in March 2015, "he said.

For its part, the Japanese ambassador Ryuhei Hosoya noted that the Tokyo Conference on African Development (TICAD V) organized by the Japanese government in Yokohama last week has focused on the agreement of the Government of Japan Mauritius to support the realization of the project of weather radar for Mauritius. "The participation of the Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam at TICAD V conference further strengthens the link of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Maurice is very susceptible to floods and heavy rains caused by climate change island. Farmers are devastated. The country has a weather radar system from 1979. Existing warning systems do not allow to observe rapidly changing weather, "he said.

The new weather radar, which will be located in Trou aux Cerfs, will allow forecasters to monitor the evolution of the weather in order to inform the public about preventive measures against floods and other natural disasters, "at he says.

Ryuhei Hosoya also noted Japan's willingness to make every effort in cooperation with the Government of Mauritius to support its commitments to human security against the direct effects of climate change may affect Mauritius.

Mamade Beebeejaun, Deputy Director of Meteorological Services, it has revealed that the new radar will be a very important tool. "This is a new technology. With the S-Band Doppler can be seen through a system the amount of rain that will and leadership, "he said.

Sri Lanka: PM is due

Referring to his meeting with the Secretary of the Commonwealth in London, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told the next summit in Sri Lanka. He explained the process that led to the choice of Sri Lanka as host for the summit and said that the Commonwealth has imposed conditions in Colombo and a committee will monitor the situation in August. He recalled that Mauritius will host the summit in 2015.