Timor-Leste and Japan sign Agreement for the rehabilitation of Mola’s bridge
The Government of Timor-Leste signed, on August 15th, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, an Agreement with the Government of Japan, aiming at the rehabilitation of Mola bridge, in the sub district of Zumalai, Suai district.
The Agreement, named “Training project for the protection of Mola bridge” was signed by José Luis Guterres, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste) and Yoshitaka Hanada, Japanese Ambassador (on behalf of the Government of Japan).
According to José Luis Guterres, “this is an important Agreement, not only in terms of economic development, but also in connecting the population, especially during the wet season. On our part, we will continue doing our best in the reinforcement of our relationship of friendship and cooperation with Japan”.
With this agreement, the Japanese Government aims to improve the population’s living conditions as well as to contribute to the development of the country’s South Coast. The next step in the execution of this project is the opening of the tender process, with works being budgeted at 11 million dollars.
Mola bridge was built during the Indonesian occupation, back in 1996. Between 2008 and 2011, the bridge was rehabilitated but, due to heavy rain and subsequent flooding, it again became inaccessible to locals, making it impossible to link both sides of the river.
