Dili’s Sub-district Administration staff on Atauro Island are having to work at night due to constant blackouts during the day.
Dili’s District Administrator, Gaspar Soares, confirmed power in the island sub-district of Atauro is only on at night and off during the day.
“We are all concerned with this situation,” said Administrator Soares.
Meanwhile CNRT Member of Parliament, MP Manuel da Costa Guterres, said he was going to raise this issue with the relevant ministry so a solution to the problem could be found.
“Atauro sub-district requires special attention because it is an isolated island separate from the mainland,” said the MP.
The National Director for Department of Electricity of Timor-Leste (EDTL), Virgilio Guterres, confirmed the issue and said one of the reasons Atauro sub-district is in the dark during the day is because of the lack of transport between the island and the capital to pick up fuel for the generators used to power the sub-district.
“All sub-districts only run generators for six hours during the day. It makes it difficult to work during the day,” said Director Guterres.
He added this problem is not unique to Atauro sub-district, and it happened in many other areas of the country such as the sub-districts of Fatululi, Fatumea, Fohorem, Tilomar, Soibada, Lakluta, Natarbora, Fatuberliu, Alas, Turiskai, Balibo and in Hatulia. Power is only available during the day in these sub-districts for six hours.
“Unfortunately we still cannot provide 24 hours electricity in all districts. Only the big cities get 24 hour power because they are connected to the Hera and Betano power stations.
It is difficult to transport fuel to the other areas.”
Director Guterres added the priority was to connect all areas of the mainland to the Hera and Betano Power Stations and once that is achieved, EDTL will focus on Atauro sub-district.
