French Prime Minister François Bayrou has presented a plan to help aid the reconstruction for the Indian Ocean territory that was devastated by a powerful cyclone a fortnight ago.
Speaking after spending most of Monday visiting a field hospital and desalinisation plant in and around the capital Mamoudzou, Bayrou said: "There is only one guideline: no rhetoric, but concrete and precise decisions" as he presented his "Mayotte Standing" plan to the archipelago's departmental council.
The newly-appointed prime minister announced that an emergency law will be presented to an inaugural council of ministers meeting on Friday, 3 January, with a presentation to the French parliament "within a fortnight", without giving any further details.
He added that his government would also put in place a programme legislation within three months to overhaul the entire territory.
'Mayotte of the future'
François Bayrou, accompanied by Education Minister Elisabeth Borne Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, has set himself the goal of rebuilding Mayotte within two years, underlining that "we need to think about the Mayotte of the future".
With regard to France's emergency response, he promised that electricity would be restored to all homes in Mayotte by the end of January, with "a reinforcement of 200 technicians to achieve this objective".
EDF – France's electricity provider – will supply 200 generators and 20 of its employees are due to arrive as reinforcements this week.
Drinking water production levels prior to the cyclone will be restored "before the end of the week," while the budget for the water plan will be "protected and increased".
Bayrou added that the French State and local authorities, have implemented measures to prevent the reconstruction of shanty towns and a complete overhaul of priority urban districts will be put in place and possibly "enshrined in law".
French PM Bayrou promises 'concrete' aid and two-year reconstruction of Mayotte
Economy and security
Local businesses will be able to benefit from a suspension of social security contributions until 31 March and receive up to €20,000 of emergency financial aid.
Residents will also be able to take out exceptional 30-year loans, with five years free interest, to rebuild their homes.
In terms of security, the government will be sending in extra gendarmes and police officers, and will be putting in place a vigilance plan to protect schools from looting and damage.
Meanwhile, the start of the new school year will take place on a school-by-school basis from 13 January.
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Death toll 'rumours'
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was once again cautious about the feared high death toll following the passage of cyclone Chido.
"We need to be very careful when talking about this... what is striking for everyone we meet is that the rumours of thousands of deaths are unfounded," he said, referring instead to a death toll of dozens or hundreds.
The latest official death toll – presented by the authorities on 24 December – is at least 39, with 124 seriously injured and over 4,000 slightly injured.
(With AFP)
