Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, launched on Saturday, November 8, the project to rehabilitate the road connecting Seloi-Kraik, in the municipality of Aileu, to Tokoluli, in the administrative post of Gleno, municipality of Ermera, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening strategic infrastructure throughout the national territory. 

The public ceremony, attended by members of the government, local authorities, and representatives of the population, marked the start of yet another project included in the national program for the rehabilitation and construction of road infrastructure, currently underway in several municipalities across the country. This program aims to improve connectivity between regions, facilitate the transport of goods and people, and boost local economic development.

During his speech, the Head of Government appealed on the population to cooperate with the technical teams on the ground, stressing the importance of preserving equipment and ensuring a favorable environment for the execution of the work.

The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, pointed out that the project was awarded to a national company after an international tender, this being the first time that a Timorese company has beaten foreign competitors, demonstrating the technical and competitive capacity of the national sector.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of the National Development Agency (ADN) maintaining its role of supervision and technical monitoring until the completion of the work, ensuring the quality of execution and the proper use of public resources.

The road rehabilitation project has a contractual value of US$14 million and a completion deadline of one and a half years. The contract was signed publicly, in front of the population, as a sign of transparency and to reinforce citizen participation in the management of State investments.

The President of the Municipal Authority of Aileu, João Bosco dos Santos, expressed his gratitude to the IX Constitutional Government, highlighting the results already achieved in just two years of office. “In just two years, the Government has managed to launch this project, which will benefit the communities of Seloi-Kraik and Tokoluli, in addition to the rehabilitation of other roads, such as in Lekidoe. Soon, road conditions will be better for everyone,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Finance, Santina Cardoso, the Minister of Justice, Sérgio Hornai, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, the Vice Minister for Infrastructure, Júlio do Carmo, among other members of the Government and local authorities.

The IX Constitutional Government has been launching multiple road rehabilitation and construction projects in several municipalities, as part of its strategy to develop the essential infrastructure that supports economic growth and territorial cohesion. These investments reflect the IX Constitutional Government’s vision to modernize the national road network, ensure greater mobility, and promote inclusive development.

On the same day, the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, representing the Government, participated in the inauguration of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora dos Cristãos, in Aileu, together with the Archbishop of Dili, Virgílio Cardeal do Carmo da Silva, SDB. The chapel renovation project was financed by the Government, through the Ministry of Public Works, with the cost of US$218.8 thousand.