The rehabilitation of the Maliana urban road boosts mobility and local economic development
On April 18th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by Minister of Public Works Samuel Marçal, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Maliana urban road in the municipality of Bobonaro to improve mobility, facilitate access to economic activities, and strengthen connectivity in the region. 
This project forms part of the 9th Constitutional Government’s investments in road infrastructure, aimed at improving traffic conditions and supporting local and national economic development. The rehabilitated road spans approximately 48 kilometres between Nunura and Maliana Vila, including roads within the city.
The project was carried out by two international companies and funded by the Government through the Ministry of Public Works, with an investment of over US$33 million. Before the work began, the road was in poor condition, which hindered the movement of people and goods, particularly during the rainy season.
During the ceremony, the President of the Bobonaro Municipal Authority, Paulo Moniz Maia, expressed the community’s satisfaction and gratitude for the project’s benefits, highlighting its impact on mobility, the revitalisation of the local economy, and the improvement of living conditions.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that basic infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, contributes to national development by facilitating the movement of goods, connecting communities, and providing access to services and markets. He also emphasised that improved road connections facilitate the integration of rural areas into economic networks.
The new road directly benefits more than 130,000 residents of the municipality of Bobonaro. It improves access to areas of economic, social, and tourist interest, including Marobo and other parts of the region.
At the end of the ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to the companies and teams involved in the project's execution and supervision.
Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa; Secretary of State for Electricity, Water, and Sanitation, Santos Noronha; representatives of the Indonesian and Malaysian embassies; Member of the Parliament, Maria Gorumali Barreto; municipal and local officials; representatives of the Catholic Church; and members of the community also attended the ceremony.
The rehabilitation of the Maliana urban road is part of a series of ongoing projects to strengthen the national road network and support national economic development.
