Road Signage Controversy: Public Contract Award of Rs 10.7 Million Raises Questions

The awarding of a public contract worth Rs 10,724,435 (excluding VAT) to BN Safety Ltd has sparked questions and controversy, with some alleging a possible conflict of interest due to the connections between the recipient and the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Ajay Gunness.

The contract, granted on March 9, involves the provision of road signage. It was awarded to BN Safety Ltd, a company owned by Nitish Nalam Nastili, who is also the part-time president of Drains Infrastructure Construction Ltd, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Critics, including voices from the MMM’s political office, have highlighted the close relationship between Nitish Nalam Nastili and Minister Ajay Gunness. They argue that this situation could potentially lead to a conflict of interest, considering Nastili’s dual roles in both the public and private sectors.

Allegations Firmly Denied
Nalam Nastili has categorically denied these allegations. Although he is no longer the director of BN Safety Ltd, he remains a 50% shareholder, alongside Bhavnah Nalam Nastili, as confirmed by the Registrar of Companies. "My company has been incorporated since 2011. Over the past five years, 95% of the contracts for road signage from the Traffic Management & Road Safety Unit (TMRSU) have gone to my company. One needs to know the traffic market and road safety devices," he stated.

He also emphasized the regularity of the awarding process: "Everything was done through the e-procurement system, and there is nothing political about this contract. I have been close to Ajay Gunness since I was 17, but that did not influence this contract, especially since it wasn’t even his ministry that awarded it; it was the TMRSU, which falls under the Ministry of Transport." The businessman expressed his willingness to be transparent: "I am ready to disclose how many contracts I have secured over the years with all ministries, municipalities, and district councils. I have nothing to hide. Politics is not my livelihood. Far from it."

He downplayed the significance of the contract: "It's a small contract. In the past, I have secured larger ones with TMRSU." Nitish Nalam Nastili also clarified that his role at Drains Infrastructure Construction Ltd does not interfere with his private activities: "I am part-time president of a company that has nothing to do with road traffic. My company, on the other hand, has no relation to drain construction." Since his appointment as president of this public body in January 2025, the operational management of BN Safety Ltd is officially handled by his wife.

Regarding his presence at a MMM regional committee meeting in electoral district No. 17 (Curepipe/Midlands) on Wednesday, he denied any formal political involvement: "I hold no position within the regional committee. The rules should be applied equally to everyone and not selectively," he stated, referring to other similar cases, including one involving an individual who recently resigned from the presidency of a parastatal body in support of Paul Bérenger and who is a municipal councilor.

The Ministry of Transport has assured that all procedures "were followed in accordance with the rules" in awarding this contract.

As for Minister Ajay Gunness, it was clarified that this contract was awarded "by the TMRSU, which is under the Ministry of Transport and not by Minister Gunness, who is not involved in this matter."

Founded on August 2, 2011, and based in Saint-Julien d’Hotman, BN Safety Ltd reported a revenue of Rs 33,639,435 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, with a profit of Rs 2,918,298.