Timor-Leste has officially launched the pilot project for the Water and Sanitation Masters Plans for four municipalities: Baucau, Lospalos, Viqueque and Manufahi. This event was held in Dili, on March 22nd, 2016, and was part of the World Water Day celebrations.
In his speech, the Vice Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communications I, Januário da Costa Pereira, stressed that these master plans for the strategic development extend until 2030, by which time the target of the whole population having access to drinking water and sanitation must have been reached.
The goals and development objectives were evaluated in the Joint Monitoring Programme of 2015, and it was noted that Timor-Leste had failed to achieve its commitment on water and sanitation. In the specific case of water supply, the national objective was to ensure access to safe drinking water to 75% of the population.
“The difference between the plan and what was achieved is not very large. We can say that there has been significant progress between 1999 and 2015, from 53% to 72%”, said the Vice Minister.
Januário da Costa Pereira recognised that “during the dry season, we could not get much water. So we need to look for means and centralize all efforts so that the population will have access to safe drinking water, by investing in new infrastructure, in the maintenance of existing ones and in recruiting adequate human resources.”
“The Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications has invested in roads and electricity. During this decade we need to examine the situation regarding water supply seriously, defining an implementation strategy that is real and sustainable,” said the Vice Minister.
The Vice Minister said that this year was the first time the money from the Infrastructures Fund was used for a maintenance and rehabilitation program of infrastructure. The Vice Minister added that three legislative documents on national water supply policy, national water resources management policy and a decree-law on the water resources management will be created.
“This was an essential step, which began to increase investment in the water sector. We will continue working with our partners, to provide people from rural and urban areas with drinking water”, stressed the Vice Minister.
At the moment, the Government is creating water infrastructures in the Municipality of Manatuto and in the Special Zone of Oe-cusse. It is also preparing the strategic guidelines of water supply in other municipalities, including Díli.
“Attention should be given to the preservation of water resources, from the sources. We have to evaluate the existing resources, because they may be an option for the lack of drinking water in Díli. It is also necessary to disseminate and implement the policy and laws that have already been adopted to ensure the sectorial coordination guidelines, and integrating them with other Ministries”, stressed the Vice Minister.
Therefore, “we need to hold a joint debate with our partners on what remains to be done regarding water and sanitation services, particularly with Japanese cooperation – JICA, with the Australian cooperation (DEFAT) and with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), who have supported us since 1999.”
In 1993, the United Nations (UN) chose March 22nd as World Water Day. The goal is to remind people worldwide of the importance and value of water for everyday life. This year, Timor-Leste has celebrated this day with the topic “Water of the community and for the community.”
The Director-General for Water and Sanitation, on behalf of all the staff of that Directorate of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications, thanked the Asian Development Bank all the support and collaboration.
The “E” Committee President of the National Parliament, Pedro Mártires, Member of Parliament, Francisco Branco, the representative of ADB, National Directors, Heads of Department, National and International Advisors, the administrators of four municipalities and guests also attended this event.