August 3, 2010 -- A counter offer has been submitted to construction firm ASCON for the speedy settlement of water pollution claim at La Misere.

Minister Joel Morgan, who is the chairman of the High-Level Bipartite Committee responsible for the negotiations for compensation, for the residents of La Misere affected by water pollution from ASCON, yesterday stated that following extensive work on Saturday, a formal counter offer was submitted to the contractor in the morning.

Members of the La Misere Residents Committee were present at the meeting as observers.

A demand has been made for the directors or owners of ASCON to come to Seychelles, to enter into urgent negotiations for a speedy settlement of the claim for compensation.

Minister Morgan has noted that in the meantime, ASCON workers remain prohibited from working in the country and that throughout the process, the Government has been in contact with the United Arad Emirates (UAE) authorities to inform them of the situation.

Following the visit of the President to the La Misere residents last Saturday, Minister Morgan has stated that he has instructed PUC to urgently speed up the works for the new water distribution system to the affected residents and to significantly reduce the timeframe for completion of these works.

He has also instructed PUC (Public Utilities Corporation) to undertake urgent projects for the replacement of the water pipe system for the La Misere creche, La Misere primary school and the Seychelles Tourism Academy during the upcoming school holidays, so that the students will have access to safe drinking water from the tap in their schools when the new school term commences.