Reunion Island, a resource territory for the reconstruction of Mayotte after the passage of Cyclone Chido. Construction industry players called on to use their skills in Mayotte to help rebuild the island. An opportunity, perhaps, for this sector under pressure. We still need to regulate the activity to protect Reunion Island businesses.
Rebuilding Mayotte with the help of construction companies from Reunion: an ambitious political project which appears to be a boon for the construction sector, inert for a long time, and in particular for the president of the construction federation in Reunion Anthony Lebon : “According to the diagnosis currently being carried out by the Mahorais actors […] The important thing in our opinion is concerted and organized action allowing intervention in good conditions for companies and workers, responding effectively to the needs of Mayotte.”
An enthusiasm accompanied by the Chamber of Trades, which specifies that beyond the financial investment, it will be necessary to establish a framework to significantly support professionals in the sector.
“The needs are in materials: sheet metal, wood but also implementation issues. There is a real issue around safety as most of the roofs are gone, employees have to work at height so there is a real issue around that. We must support them, first of all to have the right materials and also the right tools and at the same time training. It's important to train employees so they can rebuild sustainably.”estimates Bernard Picardo, President of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Reunion Island.
Despite this widespread enthusiasm, some remain skeptical of announcements that are still too vague and imprecise.
“We tell people “come on, we put a lot of money on the table, you’re going to hit it”. But before they receive the first cent they will have time to go bankrupt three times. If there is no coaching, support for this population who are not aware of the Mayotte system with its slowness, its payment difficulties, how do you want to take someone in difficulty to a country who has difficulties himself? Where does he risk suffering to see money? We are some serious companies in Mayotte, even Mahorese companies, with great staff. You have to go through this network to welcome Reunion Islanders, to put them in charge. As part of recruitment, accommodation, water, electricity. If only to take the barge, bring them home to give them confidence and so that these people can stay. But to say from one day to the next, minister be it, that we can come to Mayotte and do a little bit of what we want, I don’t believe it at all”confides Guyto Narayanin, General President of the Hold-Invest group based in Mayotte.
For now, answers are still awaited regarding the transportation of Reunion companies to Mayotte, the costs incurred and payment deadlines.
