Two months after Chido, the law on the reconstruction of Mayotte comes into force

Two months after the devastating cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, the emergency bill for the reconstruction of the archipelago, definitively adopted by Parliament in mid-February, came into force on Tuesday 25 February with its publication in the Official Journal.

"Until December 31, 2027, the State (...) may ensure the construction, reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation, extension, major repairs and equipment of public schools (...) in view of the damage suffered by the schools following Cyclone Chido (...)", indicates the text of the law dated February 24.

Mayotte, France's poorest department in the Indian Ocean, was hit on December 14 by the deadly cyclone Chido, which caused considerable damage - the "cost of destruction" is estimated at around 3,5 billion euros, according to the Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls.

This emergency law mainly provides for relaxations in town planning and public procurement rules, as well as some social measures, such as tax breaks.

This is only a "first response", commented Mr Valls, during its adoption in Parliament. "After the time of emergency and that of reconstruction, will come that of refoundation" he added.

A second text, aimed at "enabling the economic, educational and social development of the territory on new bases" is already in preparation, and will be presented "within a few weeks", the minister indicated.

This emergency law is the first bill to be completed from start to finish by François Bayrou's government - the state budget having been prepared by his predecessor Michel Barnier.

The bill provides for the creation of a new public institution responsible for reconstruction.

The text also includes a measure for owners, who will be able to take out a zero-interest loan to renovate their homes, up to 50.000 euros.