Dili, 04 June 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Baguia Student and Youth Group (KEJB) demands the Government and relevant authorities urgently repair the condition of the road from Baguia Vila to Suku Hae-Coni, Ossu-Huna and Afaloicai, which has been completely cut off for more than two weeks due to the impact of heavy rain that caused the Basarawai river volume to rise.
KEJB representative Florinda Viana said the basic infrastructure problem like roads in Baguia Administrative Post, especially the direction to ten sucos including Hae-Coni, Ossu-Huna and Afaloicai, has become a public concern and gone viral on social media.
“The community and suco authorities tried to build a traditional temporary bridge from wood and bamboo, but the bridge is unsafe when there is heavy rain because it can pose risks to students and other users. Until now the road has been cut off for more than two weeks. Although the municipal technical team has already done an observation, there has still been no concrete emergency intervention.” Said spokesperson Florinda through a press conference held at Jardim 5 de Maio thi Wednesday.
The road problem that is cut off at Basarawai also affects other areas like Bubu-Lubu, Samalari, Lakamutu, Larisula, Defawasi, Wakala, Alawa Kraik and Alawa Leten which also face damaged roads and landslides.
She reported that high-intensity rain starting from May 11 to 14, 2026 damaged the road in the Basarawai area, Suku Hae-Coni. On May 15, the rain increased and caused the bridge over the river at Basarawai to be completely cut off, interrupting public and private transportation movement.
“With the road cut off, it impacts the majority of the community in Hae-Coni, Ossu-Huna and Afaloicai who depend heavily on agriculture like beans, cassava, taro, lakeru, and betel nut. The cut-off road means farmers cannot sell products to Ossu-Huna market, Baguia Vila and Baucau. On the other hand, the price of rice in Afaloicai has increased to USD 22 per sack because transport is not operating normally.”
Besides that, other areas affected include education in Baguia Administrative Post. The Primary and Secondary schools used by Hae-Coni and Afaloicai students are located in Ossu-Huna. During the rain, students and teachers face big difficulties accessing school.
“For almost three weeks now the learning process has not run effectively. And for health, the community depends on the Ossu-Huna Health Post which only has 5 permanent staff. The cut-off road increases the risk for patients who need to be transferred to Baguia Health Center, Baucau Referral Hospital or the National Hospital.”
In the same place, Livio do Rego also lamented that the road problem is not just infrastructure, but also a problem of development and the basic rights of the community.
“We from the Baguia Student Youth Group also ask the Baguia Post Administrator, the President of Baucau Municipal Authority and the Central Government to take fast emergency action. The communities from Hae-Coni, Ossu-Huna and Afaloicai deserve good access to roads, health, education and economic opportunity like other citizens in Timor-Leste.” He added.
Therefore, the Baguia Student Youth Group asks the Government and relevant authorities to give maximum attention to this problem and take measures to immediately normalize the Baguia Vila to Hae-Coni, Ossu-Huna and Afaloicai road.
Reporting: Trainees Juliana Trindade and Leozalia Cabral
Photo: Leozalia Cabral