Deputy Prime Minister, Fernando Lasama de Araujo, said Timor-Leste does not need to just copy other nations concepts for state pre-disconsentration because even those nations do not have this concept.
Deputy PM Lasama raised this issue in response to critics from some civil society representatives regarding the concept.
“We do not have to copy too much from other people. We can also invent a new concept based on the reality faced by the Timorese,” said Deputy PM Lasama at a National Conference on Pre-disconcentration held at Hotel Timor, Dili.
He said Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao came up with the concept so he asked the people to follow.
“This conference is very important to gather expert’s ideas and from all parties so we can use these references to implement the government’s plan,” Deputy PM Lasama said.
He said to rule the people, the government’s administration must be efficient and effective.
Meanwhile the Minister of State Administration and Territorial Management (MAEOT), Jorge da Conceicao Teme, explained pre-disconcentration and decentralisation are different concepts of territorial administration.
“We will start with administrative pre-disconcentration, then we will undertake administrative decentralisation and finally fiscal decentralisation,” Minister Teme explained.
He added the pre-disconcentration program will be implement first in the three districts of Manatuto, Aileu and Liquisa.
“We haven’t done the assessments but when we start the national development village programs we will prioritise the districts near the capital Dili,” he said. “This decision isn’t final but if districts fulfil the minimum criteria we will start.”
Districts will be assessed against criteria such as the existence of adequate human resources, financial capacity, administrative capacity and also the natural potential of the district.
The Pre-Disconcentration program is planed to start being implemented in 2014.
Dili District Administrator, Gaspar Soares, said his district is ready to receive the pre-disconcentration package because natural and human resources have been prepared.
“We are waiting for whatever needs to be disconcentrated,” said Administrator Soares.
He added Dili District has great potential for tourism and fishery as well as cultural potential.
“I think this potential will benefit Dili District in future,” he said.
Administrator Gaspar added Dili District has been getting ready by allowing its staff to undertake professional development training in areas relevant to the pre-desconcentration program.
