Government of Timor-Leste

On January 15^th, 2026, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, made a working visit to Ataúro Island, during which he inaugurated infrastructure in the areas of education and water supply and monitored progress on ongoing road and school construction. 

In Village (Suco) Macadade, the Minister inaugurated the water canalisation project and the Ili-Timur Parallel 1st and 2nd Cycle Basic Education School, both financed by the National Suco Development Programme. The water supply system draws water from springs in Era'ir, passing through intermediate reservoirs to Ili-Timur, and provides water to the local community, including the school. The school has two classrooms and a staff room and is equipped to accommodate 57 students.

During the ceremony, the Minister called for responsible water use to ensure the system's sustainability, thanked the community for its involvement in the project, and asked local authorities and teachers to monitor the resumption of school meals in January.

During his visit, the Minister also observed first-hand progress on maintenance work on the road linking the Hamlets (aldeias) of Arlo and Adara in Suco Beloi, which is over 14 kilometres long. The project is financed by the Ataúro Special Development Fund and aims to improve internal connectivity on the island, facilitating access to public services, schools, health centres, and local economic activities.

The programme also included the inauguration of new classrooms at Ataúro Secondary School 99 in the hamlet of Ileticaraquia, in Village Maumeta. The infrastructure, also financed by the Ataúro Special Development Fund, comprises three classrooms and a staff room and is ready for the start of the school year.

The President of the Ataúro Administrative Authority, officials from the Ministry of State Administration, local authorities, security forces, teachers, students, and members of the communities involved attended the activities.