Dili, June 28, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Union of University Students of Ermera Municipality (UNEUMER) issued a press statement regarding the decision-making dynamics of the Ninth Constitutional Government’s commitment to prioritizing road construction during its implementation year. The conference was held at Jardim 05 de Maio in Dili.
UNEUMER spokesperson Alcinha de Jesus Soares expressed concern over decisions made by the current government, which have disappointed the majority of Ermera’s citizens, saying these political dynamics call into question the Ninth Government’s pledges to the people of Ermera.
“We know that Ermera Municipality encompasses six administrative posts—Atsabe, Ermera Vila, Hatulia A, Hatulia B, Letefoho, and Railaco—within the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. These areas have deeply suffered due to the politics of the Ninth Constitutional Government, whose failure to normalize road conditions means that rural citizens still lack decent access for timely transport of goods to municipal and national centers,” stated Soares.
He noted that there have been no new road improvements in Ermera municipality, despite repeated demands from the community and students at every government transition through the Ninth Constitutional Government period, even during campaign promises.
“Our government will prioritize roads and coffee production in Ermera municipality,” the spokesperson continued, explaining that earlier this year (February 8, 2025), the Prime Minister, Minister of Public Works, and the President of the Ermera Municipal Authority, in cooperation with local communities in Nunutali, made promising declarations to the population.
He affirmed that during the campaign, promises were made to the public that road construction in Ermera municipality would begin as early as March.
“The tender process has concluded, and three companies have passed it and are now prepared. Additionally, PAM-Ermera has stated that another study needs to be conducted to support proper implementation, which will take place in May,” reported Soares.
He also relayed that PAM-Ermera emphasized the necessity of conducting a feasibility study given the rainy season conditions. Following a declaration to the people of Ermera on 29 May 2025, the Ministry of Public Works stated that the project would be financed through a loan from the World Bank according to the information provided by the companies in charge.
“So far, there has been no public announcement of alternative solutions from relevant leaders to resolve Ermera’s road problems. These leaders continue making excuses, delaying addressing serious road conditions that affect the local population,” Soares asserted.
He informed that the normalization process by the Ministry of Public Works has not yet produced an adequate plan—although preparations have taken place—but current efforts have yet to address the concerns of the Administrator of Letefoho Administrative Post, who warned that continued rain could cause landslides and river flooding, threatening lives downstream.
“We call upon the Minister of Public Works: normalization in Ermera’s roads must not be treated as an alternative. Construction must proceed according to the commitments already made. We also call on all stakeholders to take the issue seriously and implement publicly declared actions, especially for the people of Ermera,” relayed Alcinha de Jesus Soares.
He further urged that any decision by the Ministry must be consistent and not just announced one day and reversed the next. Such reversals shatter the public’s trust.
In closing, the spokesperson highlighted during the conference that UNEUMER expects PAM-Ermera to serve as a responsible partner in Ermera municipality, and thus must respect the population’s trust by treating road construction with seriousness. “If this is not the case, then those speaking for Ermera’s people are not truly representing them.”
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano