Diplomatic services Rs 38 million for the rent of the former high commissioner in London

Between 2015 and 2024, the State spent nearly Rs 38 million on rent to accommodate the former High Commissioner of Mauritius in London. As the 2015-2016 records are incomplete, the actual amount could be higher.

The Mauritian State paid approximately 612,820 pounds sterling (nearly Rs 38 million) in rent to accommodate the former High Commissioner of Mauritius in London from 2015 to 2024. This was indicated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Dhananjay Ramful, in response to a parliamentary question from the second MP for Grand-Baie/Poudre-d'Or, Nitish Sharma Beejan, Tuesday July 28.

The minister also specified that Rs 9,640,800 million were devoted to the maintenance of the Mauritian chancellery in London during this same period. However, he indicated that the data relating to rents for 2015-2016 is incomplete, the archives having disappeared.

Responding to a supplementary question, Dhananjay Ramful explained that the former High Commissioner, Mr. Nunkoo, first occupied rented accommodation from August 2015 to September 2016, before moving to the official residence until January 2019. Significant water infiltration and boiler problems then forced him to return to rented accommodation, where he remained until the end of his mandate in November 2024, for a monthly rent of £7,367.67.

The minister considered it “surprising” that no contractor could be found for almost five years to carry out repairs to the official residence. He announced that an envelope of Rs 9 million is planned in the 2026-2027 budget for its renovation. Finally, Dhananjay Ramful revealed that the owner of the rented accommodation withheld approximately Rs 500,034 from the security deposit in order to cover damage caused to the property.

View the discussion thread.

THE MEDIA GROUP CHALLENGE› Cnr Antonio & Labourdonnais Street, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius • Tel: +230 203 4800

MARKETING› Tel: +230 203 4800 • Email: marketing@defimedia.info •[email protected]

RADIO PLUS LTD› Tel: +230 207 0666 • +230 208 6002 • Email:[email protected]