Government of Timor-Leste

The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, was in Cristo Rei sub-district, Díli district, to attend the popular consultation on the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) on August 31.

The Head of Government was received by the local authorities and the district police station commander, near Cristo Rei Administration building. There the Head of Government donned the traditional costume and headed to the venue for the consultation.

Before the Administrator of the sub-district submitted the report, the Prime Minister made the official opening by cutting a cake prepared by the seven sucos and opening a bottle of champagne along with Cristo Rei district authorities and community leaders.

The Administrator, Simplício dos Santos Mendonça, then presented the sub-district geographical data composed of seven sucos: Becora Kamea, Kuluhun, Bidau Santa Ana, Metiaut, Hera and Balibar, with a total of 51 villages. The location of the sucos is as follows: Becora is adjacent to Balibar and sub-district Remixio; suco Kamea is located next to Hera and sub-district Remixio; Kuluhun bordering sub-district Nain Feto; Bidau Santa Ana bordering with Kuluhun; Metiaut is adjacent to Santa Ana and Hera; Hera suco is bordered by the sub-district of Metinaro, and Balibar with the sub-district Remixio. According to the 2004 census, 41,441 people live in Cristo Rei sub-district.

The population is mainly dedicated to agriculture, fishing and trade. The sub-district has the potential to develop areas such as tourism, fisheries, floodplain cultivation and horticulture. The population feels however, that there are problems to solve, related to infrastructures, health, education, agriculture, welfare, safety, and to the condition of the sucos administrative headquarters.

Simplício Mendes dos Santos stated that the population of his sub-district "supports Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Government's position regarding the pipeline business for our territory which will benefit our citizens with further employment opportunities."

In addition to the concerns presented by the Administrator, the community leaders added other problems faced by local people such as the state of roads, ditches, rivers, bridges and the damage caused by floods. They also mentioned the need to collect the garbage, potable water pipes and a public sanitary post. They requested assistance in purchasing fishing equipment for the construction of a clinical station and a social home for the elderly; an increase in the number of police officers and community police transport services, as well as further health staff. They alerted to the situation pertaining to the administrative eviction from the precincts to the beaches of Metiaut and asked that projects should be awarded to companies in the suco. They also pointed out to the fact that the cemetery is narrowing; there are gaps in the list of the elderly and the need to take care of the former FALINTIL now unemployed. Moreover, they rejected a future construction of a refugee center in Timor-Leste.

In response, the Prime Minister asked those present to make a reflection on the referendum held in Timor-Leste 11 years ago, in which people learned to show their audacity to use the nail and pencil to determine the fate of their Fatherland. "I come here today to ask you about the desire of the People in 2001 that, after the independence, asked for the supply of drinking water, good homes, an electricity distribution network, good roads, bridges, schools for the children ... all that can only be achieved when we seek to avoid confrontations like those of 2006 and focus on activities that bring welfare to the population and attract progress, otherwise we will continue to set the pace not show progress”, recommended the Chief Executive .

The AMP leader also noted, "in 2002 the East Timorese and the UN, jointly built the foundations of Timor. In 2003 something was done, but not the expected and for two reasons: first, by September, the state of Timor-Leste would have to make its institutions, and the other was lack of money. But it is time to reflect about the Strategic Plan for 2010, about the celebration of 11 years of the popular consultation, about the eight years of independence, which is why the PEDN contemplates the establishment of basic infrastructures so needed by the population according to the capacity of the State budget. "

The Prime Minister also mentioned the "partnership between Government and entrepreneurs to, with the help of the State, build quality projects, enabling people to enjoy the independence instead of seeking only profits or holiday in Bali and Surabaya. That's why the construction of national roads will be awarded to international companies, worthy ones that meet the criteria of other countries and that ensure a good quality service and long duration. "

Prime Ministers’ entourage, during this popular consultation on the PEDN at Cristo Rei, was made by the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry Gil Alves, Vice-Minister of Finance, Rui Hanjam, the Administrator of the Dili District, Ruben Braz and the Commander of Police Operations in Dili District, Inspector Pedro Belo.