According to Dili District Administrator Gaspar Soares the city of Dili remains full of rubbish because law enforcement is weak when it comes to penalizing those who litter. 
The Dili District Administrator said the Dili community did not do the right thing to keep the city healthy.
“After we pick up the rubbish, people start to litter again,” said Administrator Soares in Dili.
He said the law was not strong in giving penalties to people who litter.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State for Administrative Decentralisation Tomas Cabral said those who sell things often throw rubbish away.
“They empty it out and we pick it up, then they put it out again,” he said.
He said the government had a plan for the issue as part of Dili’s 150-year anniversary celebrations.
“Village authorities and sub-village chiefs could raise awareness amongst families about throwing away rubbish,” said the Secretary of State.
He said he informed the Dili District Administration about the problem with rubbish, and told the Secretary of State for Water and Sanitation to empty 30 rubbish bins filled with rotten food dumped in Tibar, so people could use them for rubbish again.
“That’s why starting from October 1, 2013 until October 1, 2014 groups in the villages and neighbourhoods must put rubbish in its place,” he said.
On the other hand, the Secretary of State for Water, Sanitation and Urbanization Elias Pereira Moniz called on all citizens to participate in cleaning each other’s neighbourhoods and homes.
“Village chiefs, sub-village chiefs and the community should clean each other’s neighbourhoods,” he said.
He said the participation of local authorities and the community was very important to create a healthy environment in Dili.
“Every resident should clean up in front of their home and put rubbish in the bin,” he said.
