Municipality
Dili, 25 May 2026 (Media Democracia) – The University Students’ Union of Viqueque Municipality (UEUMV) released a press statement demanding that the IX Constitutional Government, National Parliament, Ministry of Public Works, and the Viqueque Municipal Authority urgently repair the road conditions that are extremely severe in the municipality.
According to UEUMV spokesperson Antonio Gomes, even after independence the people of Viqueque have not yet felt significant change and have not yet escaped the poverty line.
“We demand this because the main problems are infrastructure: roads, bridges, clean water, electricity, internet, education, health, agriculture, tourism, and public services that are not guaranteed. In Viqueque Villa Post, as the municipal capital, the condition is very severe, making it difficult for public and private transport. The Viqueque Villa–Ossu road is also in very bad condition, making transport to Baucau and Dili difficult. The rural roads in Ossu are also very bad. The Viqueque Villa–Lakluta road is severe, and the Welolo and Dilor bridges in Suco Uma-tolu are broken, making it difficult for community movement. The rural roads in Lakluta also remain severe. The Viqueque Villa–Uatulari and Uatucarbau roads have been in severe condition for almost 2 decades. The Beaço and Ailembata rivers still don’t have bridges, making it difficult for transport to cross,” said spokesperson Antonio Gomes at Jardim 5 de Maio, (22/05/2026).
In the same place, Apolinario da Silva stated that UEUMV also notes that the rural roads in Uatulari Administrative Post to the sucos and aldeias of Loi-ulu, Afaloikai, Bubulale, Kaiwai-lita, and Bahatata remain a concern. During the rainy season, public transport cannot access them and the community finds it difficult to travel to the Post and to the Municipality.
“We ask the President of the Viqueque Municipal Authority (PAM) to take political responsibility to solve the road problem and present a concrete plan to the MOP and the Council of Ministers. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) must pay attention to road construction in Viqueque Municipality. To the National Parliament: carry out your oversight function and discuss the people’s problems. UEUMV is concerned because Parliament sometimes becomes a place for party interest confrontations rather than discussing the people’s interests. To the IX Constitutional Government: instruct the MOP and PAM to solve the road problem and not wait until campaign time to go to rural areas and make false promises, but then ignore it after taking power,” said UEUMV’s Apolinario da Silva.
He explained that Viqueque Municipality has a population of 102,637 and is rich in natural resources for tourism, such as Ossu Larigutu, Lihunu, Kraras Hot Springs, Lacluta Hot Springs, Irabere, and Ailembata.
“Because of the bad roads, people find it hard to access markets, hospitals, schools, and public transport. These problems cause great losses for the population in moving around, bringing products to market, and accessing hospitals and schools. Therefore, UEUMV, as an extra-parliamentary movement committed to the alma mater and campus values, acts as an agent of social transformation for the people of Viqueque. As Timorese, we will continue to demand. If they don’t act, it’s better that we in Viqueque don’t even vote it’s the same either way. If the parents in Viqueque hear our voice, if we choose to vote, we will lose another five years of opportunity for Viqueque’s development. If there’s no solution, we will hold dialogue. If it follows our academic approach, then we will dialogue with the relevant parties who hold responsibility,” he said.
He emphasized that if there is no solution, they will dialogue with the PAM authorities. If there’s still none, UEUMV will go directly to the MOP itself. If that also fails, they will speak out further. “This is not only for us Viqueque people—all 13 municipalities must pay attention to the roads. That’s why we demand that the relevant parties we mentioned not stop at promises but take concrete action. The people’s trust in you must be met with moral responsibility that you carry on your shoulders as public trust, as the voice of God.
UEUMV informs that the people’s trust cannot be considered worthless, but must be seen as a moral responsibility to execute these programs well, so that public implementation can guarantee sustainability.”
Reporting: Trainees Juliana and Leozalia
Photo: Trainee Leozalia