Today at the Renganaden Seeneevassen Building, commonly known as NPF Port Louis, a contract van was parked obstructing an accessible ramp designated for persons with disabilities using wheelchairs. At 12:48 PM, noticing this inappropriate parking, I immediately went to the nearby Pope Hennessy Police Station within the same building to report the issue. The police sergeant agreed that the driver was wrong to park there, noting that the space is specially designated for wheelchair users and should not be blocked.

The police sergeant accompanied me to find the driver, noting that the van’s hazard light was on, indicating the driver’s presence. Upon inquiry at a nearby shop, HMart, the driver was found. The sergeant confronted the driver, explaining why parking in front of the accessible ramp was not allowed as it blocked access to the accessible ramp and it was not a legitimate parking spot. The driver defended his action by claiming that no other parking spaces were available. However, the sergeant firmly instructed him to move the van immediately, which the driver complied with on the spot. By 1:03 PM, the ramp was once again accessible.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of unauthorized parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities, which are legally protected and vital for facilitating their mobility. Parking regulations in Mauritius mandate that such spaces, including accessible ramps, must remain unobstructed to ensure safe and easy access for wheelchair users. Authorities emphasize stricter enforcement and increased public awareness to prevent such misuse and to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.

Mohammad Yaaseen Edoo
Disability Rights Activist
Editor of Handicap Universel
Queen’s Young Leader
Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society