PRIME MINISTER XANANA AND MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS INAUGURATE WATER SUPPLY PROJECT IN FOHOREM

Covalima, 10 July 2025

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Local Development, Mateus dos Santos Tallo; the Secretary of State for Toponymy Affairs and Urban Organization, Germano Santa Brites Dias; CNRT Member of Parliament Saul Salvador H. J.; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bee Timor-Leste, E.P. (BTL, E.P.), Gustavo da Cruz, together with their respective delegations, inaugurated the Water Supply System Improvement Project for the community of Fohorem Village, Fohorem Administrative Post, Covalima Municipality, on Thursday.

Before the inauguration ceremony, traditional leaders from Fohorem welcomed the Prime Minister with a traditional address in accordance with the customs and culture of Fohorem, Covalima Municipality. Following the traditional welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão paid tribute by laying flowers and lighting candles at the grave of the late Alferis Ricardo, who died in 1975.

“Today, we have inaugurated this clean water supply system as part of our efforts to respond to the concerns and needs expressed by the community,” the Head of Government said during the inauguration ceremony in Fohorem Administrative Post.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also listened to the concerns of local communities regarding basic infrastructure, which were presented by the Administrator of Fohorem Administrative Post.

During the Prime Minister’s visit to Fohorem Administrative Post, the President of the Covalima Municipal Authority, together with the municipal administration and local communities, warmly welcomed Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and his delegation.

In his remarks, Minister of Public Works Samuel Marçal explained that, after taking office on 1 July 2023, he received instructions from the Prime Minister of the IX Constitutional Government to give particular attention to infrastructure development throughout Timor-Leste.

“After I took office, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called me and instructed me to pay particular attention to infrastructure in rural areas. Regarding roads, we will allocate funding in the 2026 General State Budget so that the projects can be implemented next year,” the Minister of Public Works said.

At the same event, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bee Timor-Leste, Public Enterprise (BTL, E.P.), Gustavo da Cruz, explained that the Fohorem Water Supply System Improvement Project was divided into two packages: the construction of the water pipeline system and the supply and installation of reservoir tanks.

“The pipeline construction and reservoir tank installation project involved an investment of more than US$700,000 and is capable of supplying clean water to more than 200 households, serving a population of more than 2,000 people in Fohorem Administrative Post, Covalima Municipality,” said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bee Timor-Leste.

The implementation of the Fohorem Water Supply System Improvement Project took approximately six months. However, weather conditions caused some delays in the completion of the works, and the project was subsequently inaugurated upon completion.

The Government remains committed to implementing the National Strategic Development Plan, with priority given to the country’s 51 administrative posts. Infrastructure projects are being implemented in municipal and administrative-post capitals, with projects in seven administrative posts already completed and awaiting inauguration.

Project Details

The Water Supply System Improvement Project in Fohorem Administrative Post, Covalima Municipality, was divided into two packages:

1. Construction of the clean water pipeline system

Implemented by Roman Junior Unipessoal Lda, with a contract value of US$449,563.69.

2. Supply and installation of reservoir tanks (liner tanks)

Implemented by Azra Unipessoal Lda, with a contract value of US$71,517.10.

The reservoir infrastructure consists of:

1. One (1) 26 m³ reservoir tank;
2. One (1) 58 m³ reservoir tank.

The water supplied to the Fohorem community comes from the Aumean 1 spring, which has a discharge capacity of approximately 3.8 litres per second.

The project installed approximately 2,299 metres (2.2 km) of transmission pipelines and 1,454 metres (1.4 km) of distribution pipelines.

A total of 210 household water meters were installed, benefiting an estimated population of approximately 1,260 people.

The water supply system covers Fohorem Village, including the villages/hamlets of Fatuk-laran, Lo’ohali, Fatukbitik-laran, Sadahur and Lorokida.

The system also supplies water to public facilities, including the Health Post, schools, the PNTL Fohorem Police Station, the Administrative Post building, the village administrative office, and the church.

According to the Ministry of Public Works’ plan, through Bee Timor-Leste, E.P., additional water supply systems are expected to be inaugurated in four administrative posts: Maubisse, Fatuberliu, Ossu and Lacluta.