Dili, 08 April 2026 (Media Democracia) – Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization (SEATOU) works with the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) to hold a meeting with communities in Manleuana village affected by the road expansion from Manleuana to Rate Ain.
According to the affected community, Evangelino Soares Amral, requests MOP and SEATOU to review the design for the road expansion from Manleu to Rate Ain, routing it behind Canossa School because there’s vacant land, so it won’t affect many community homes.
“I accept the road if the Secretary himself, the Minister himself, we all sit here and meet with the community of Manleuana that this road, the road goes along the Canossa hill to Rate Ain, you all look at this map, if it goes along Canossa hill, the road, the land is empty.” says affected resident Evangelino Soares at Manleuana village headquarters.
On the other hand, Cristiana Da Costa, also an affected community member of the Manleu to Rate Ain road expansion, says she’s ready to cooperate, but requests MOP and SEATOU to give her a bit of time to look for another place, before moving.
“Regarding development as citizens, we’re ready to cooperate, Your Excellency, I’ve used a long time to build this house, please give us a bit more time, our process is long, but if the red paint is put X and the tractor comes, it’s not even hours before the house falls, Your Excellency, please think about our rights.” says Cristiana Da Costa
Responding to these issues, Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization (SEATOU), Germano Santa Brites says, the road expansion from Elemloi Roundabout to Rate Ain is set for 2025, the approved design is fixed SEATOU just implements the work.
Related the road expansion, in 2025 we’ll meet here, that is, the road expansion from Elemloi Roundabout to Rate Ain, the approved design is fixed from top to bottom, SEATOU just implements the work, the fixed design, I ask for cooperation, starting today until July 15th, each person should check their iron fence, don’t let the gate face be demolished yet.
He further emphasizes that those whose data has been taken should go for processing in a month or two, as given then we’ll start the work.
Report By: Tomas
Photo By: Tomas