Construction of the new road linking Chapuis Stadium to Showground has been delayed due to ongoing fence repairs within a plantation area where the road will pass.
Government, through the Ministry of Lands, has already paid out the lease interest to allow the road to be built through the plantation land.
Minister for Lands Maco Mahe confirmed to VBTC News that under the law, government must compensate leaseholders when constructing a public road on leased land.
He explained that although there has been public discussion suggesting government should not pay, the law requires compensation when a lease title covers the area where a road is planned. The acquisition must be in the public interest, and in this case, it was triggered to allow public access through the new road.
Despite the payment being completed, construction is currently delayed because the lease owner is repairing boundary fences to prevent cattle from roaming once the road is opened.
Minister Mahe said the cattle owner is rebuilding fences to ensure livestock do not wander onto nearby residential areas, including the Showground, which could create further problems for families and eventually reflect back on the government.
Once completed, the road will be built to a good standard and is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, particularly during cruise ship days when vehicle movement increases.
