DILI, 06 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – Village Chief of Leo-Lima, Rui Moniz Ferreira cried, asking the Constitutional Government to immediately build a road and bridge, as during the rainy season, the community and students can’t cross. The strong current and high water volume hinder the community from bringing products to market, and students miss school because there’s no bridge to cross.
“I appeal to Public Works, especially the ruling parties PD and CNRT – CNRT has been in absolute power in Suku Leo-Lima since 2007. I’m very sad that I’m begging the government don’t do this, don’t discriminate against the people, I’m speaking with the people’s sentiment, it’s sad the government, especially Public Works, whether you like it or not, this bridge must be built. I’ve been talking about this for years this bridge is threatening people’s lives. Since ’75, during Indonesian times, two people were swept away by the river. Now that Timor is independent, we’re still struggling, can’t even find decent bone.” said Rui to journalists in Village Leo-Lima on Wednesday (04/03/2026).
Rui followed up, saying that since he took office, proposals have been made and taken to the relevant ministry, and he was even able to meet with His Excellency the Minister of Public Works, but so far, there’s no clear response.
“Since I assumed office as Village Chief, my proposal was submitted immediately. I’ve met the minister once, and the bridge, and road team has been there many times, but their words are always ‘it’s in process, don’t know when it’ll be done.” he said.
On another part, he also thanked the efforts made, as his request has shown results with the tender process starting for two road packages in Faturui Hamlet, which is now evaluating documents from companies, hoping to establish something soon.
But on the other hand, even if the road is good, without a bridge it’s the same, because during the rainy season, the community can’t cross, and vehicles can’t pass either.
“That’s why I ask the head of government, grandfather Avo Nana, in the name of the people and community, mothers, fathers, pregnant women, poor children, and people with disabilities, humbly ask, whether you want to or not, the bridge must be built.” he emphasized.
In the same place, the President of the Bobonaro Municipality, represented by the Secretary of Administration and Finance Authority of Bobonaro Municipality, Domingos da Costa, acknowledged the trust and concern for the difficulties this Village is facing, but all competencies are at the National level.
“It’s very sad as an authority because the road and bridge aren’t in good condition. The road and bridge aren’t under the municipality’s competency, it’s national, it’s under the ministry’s. If it were us, we could use PNDS budget or infrastructure budget to build, but it’s national. That’s why, like the Village Chief said, the proposal has been sent there, saying ‘wait’, and our community is being affected, especially with programs we want to bring to improve their health, it’s like this.” said PAM Bobonaro representative Domingos.
The Interim PAM also requests His Excellency Minister of Public Works Samuel Marçal to review the proposal submitted by Village Chief of Leo-Lima.
“The authority also requests His Excellency Minister of Public Works to review, if the Village Chief says the proposal has been submitted, it’s stuck somewhere. If they’re saying they’ll implement the roads here, we’re not saying rush it, but the process should be faster. Canceling this activity, as an authority, we’re very sad because we brought a big team to do sensitization on HIV-SIDA for our community, especially in Suku Leo-Lima, but it wasn’t realized because the big river can’t be crossed.” he informed.
The authority requests to speed up the proposal from Leo-Lima Village, because when the next day’s activity is about to happen in the Village, they don’t want to face the same problem, like what happened now with the big river canceling the activity. They hope the relevant ministry can solve the problem soon.
Meanwhile, Leobaken River is located in Leo-Lima Village, Balibo Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality, with a total of 764 families and a total population of 2942, comprising four Hamlet: Bour, Duaderoc, Faturui, and Raifatuc.
Reporting : Estefania
Photo : Estefania