The Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) will monitor the roads and bridges project in the Baucau and Lautem districts. With this objective in mind, the Minister of Public Works, Gastão de Sousa, was accompanied by the Director of National Roads and Flood Control, Rui Hernani, and other technicians from the Ministry, and were on-site from the 25th to the 27th of July.
The Infrastructure Fund is financing four projects to be monitored. The first project concerns the section connecting Laga to Bagia to Watu Carbau, of which implementation is under the responsibility of the Rubu Lari company. The second, connecting Lospalos to Luro, was handed over to the ASCEM CACM consortium. The third project, the rehabilitation of the road section from Lospalos to Tutuala, is under the responsibility of the Miguel Group. The fourth project, which concerns the rehabilitation of the road linking Lospalos to Iliomar, is being implemented by the Kiar MAEK company.
According to Gastão de Sousa, “this monitoring action arises following a report, presented by consultants and a regional team, who identified some delays in the rehabilitation work. The project delays are not according to the program outlined by the Ministry”.
“The projects must be completed according to the defined deadlines and quality. The work should last a long time for the population be able to benefit more. The Ministry of Public Works will not extend the contracts if the works are not completed in accordance with the schedule, “said the Timorese Minister of Public Works.
The National Director of Roads and Flood Control, Rui Hernani, said that the engaged contractors face challenges, such as shortage of equipment and human and financial resources.
The Vice-President of ASCEM CACM, Armindo Sanches, pointed out that weather changes are also a factor which prevents the conclusion of the work according to the plan set by the Ministry of Public Works.