The Ministry of Public Works made an urgent request to the National Parliament for funds totalling USD$74,448,748.11 to respond to 152 emergency projects across five districts.
The State Secretary for Public Works (SEOP), Luis Vaz Rodrigues, said the emergency projects included the construction and repair of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters in the Districts of Covalima, Manufahi, Ainaro, Manatuto and Viqueque.
“We will allocate $489,794.40 for each of the 152 projects so in total we will use $74, 448,748.11,” said SE Rodrigues.
He noted the amount requested is substantial but said it is based on calculations done by his ministry of the work needed to resolve the emergencies.
“We already submitted the monitoring report justifying the emergency projects to the Council of Ministers and to the National Parliament too,” said SE Rodrigues.
Meanwhile MP Pedro da Costa, the President of Commission E (Infrastructure, Transport and Communication Affairs) said his commission already received the request for extra funds from the Ministry of Public Works but it is still looking at the budget prior to approving the funds.
“We want to ensure the work is carried out as phased development,” said MP da Costa.
He said also budget plans need to be done adequately because not everything can be an emergency.
“We will discuss this during the general budget discussions,” said MP da Costa.
