Roads: Australian Government supports Timor-Leste with AUS$ 30 million
The Minister of Infrastructure, Pedro Lay, represented the Government of Timor-Leste as he received the financial support of 30 million Australian dollars from Australian Aid (AusAid) for the rehabilitation of roads in rural areas. This support was formally delivered by the Ambassador of Australia in Timor-Leste after the signing of an agreement in the Hall of the Ministry of Infrastructure in Dili on March 29, 2012.
The National Directorate of Bridges, Roads and Flood Control from the Secretairat of State for Public Works will implement the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in five districts: Baucau, Dili, Aileu, Ermera and Manufahiover four years.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Pedro Lay, said that "with this support, we can achieve the State objective provided for in the Strategic Development Plan our Prime Minister launched last year. Our goal is now closer to reality: to give good roads to our population".
The Ambassador of Australia in Timor-Leste and AusAid representative, Miles Armitage, said: "We are helping to achieve the objective of Timor-Leste’s physical development plan by giving this financial support for the rehabilitation of rural roads, which constitutes one of the priorities mentioned in the agreement that we signed".
Miles Armitage also added that "in the next four years the road development program will focus on rural roads, ensuring that 1150 kilometers of road will be in good condition. In addition, it provides employment opportunities to 50 thousand persons, enriching their work experience and promoting the local economy".
