[Rehabilitation of St Jean Cemetery] The Government Supports the Church

On Monday, December 22, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam presented a check to Bishop Jean-Michaël Durhône of the Port Louis diocese at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. This funding is designated for the rehabilitation and repair of 512 graves at St Jean Cemetery in Quatre Bornes, which were severely damaged during the floods on November 8, 2023, and January 14, 2024.

Among the damaged graves, 71 suffered critical damage, 141 experienced partial damage, and 300 were slightly affected.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister Arvin Boolell, Chief Government Whip Stéphanie Anquetil, Deputy Speaker Veda Baloomoody, Junior Minister Dhaneshwar Damry, and clergy members such as Father Benoît Sylva (St Jean Parish) and Father Eddy Coosnapen (Port Louis diocese).

In his speech, the Prime Minister elaborated on the circumstances leading to this situation, describing the events as "shocking." "What happened during the floods at St Jean Cemetery is appalling. Everyone has seen the videos: bodies were unearthed from graves. It is deeply distressing," he stated. Navin Ramgoolam reminded that during the Metro Express construction, Singaporean consultants had warned against this type of construction, alerting to the risks involved. "They wanted to give the impression that this would save money. Instead of building the metro on piles, it was built at ground level, with the consequences we see today," he argued. Referring to the 512 damaged graves and the collapsed cemetery wall, he called it "a true human tragedy," emphasizing that "a cemetery is a sacred place," which justifies the state's intervention.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the government's intervention, stressing the need to support families affected by the destruction of the graves. He added that this initiative reflects the government's commitment to preserving national heritage while providing tangible assistance to citizens in times of crisis. The rehabilitation aims not only to restore the damaged graves but also to offer comfort and solace to families, in a spirit of remembrance and solidarity.

For his part, Bishop Jean-Michaël Durhône expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the government for their support in implementing the project. He reminded everyone of the sacred and historical significance of St Jean Cemetery, where at least 150,000 people have been buried over the centuries, emphasizing that the work is being carried out with respect for the site and the families. He concluded by stating that this initiative serves both as an act of remembrance and a means to contribute to the healing process for families affected by this tragedy.