National Member of Parliament (MP) Manuel de Castro Pereira lamented the poor quality of the rehabilitation work undertaken on the roads between Dili and Baucau because they are once again damaged.
MP Pereira from Commission E (for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications) said the asphalt was of poor quality and the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) didn’t monitor and control the work undertaken.
“We saw the road between KaravelaandManatuto and holes on the road a beginning to show again,” said the MP.
He asked why the National Development Agency (ADN) demolished small projects of poor quality but not big projects such as this one.
“I urge, if possible, the Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK) and the Secretary of State for Parliamentary to bring up this issue at the Council of Ministers,” said MP Pereira.
Meanwhile MP Virgilo da Costa Hornaisaid the problem with the asphalt is that rather than using certified asphalt the company in charge of the work used one that is not suitable to the terrain in Timor-Leste; and it was alsoof poor quality grade.
“We go along the road to Baucau and the roads are damaged again. The contract awarded was for $9 million,” said MP Hornai.
He added Timor-Leste should be using the same asphalt used during Indonesian times rather that other asphalt.
“But we make it easier for companies that have their own industry to provide their own products.”
In response to the concerns by the MP’s, the Secretary of State for Public Works, Luis Vas Rodrigues, said Estrada Bo’ot Company was awarded the contract during the mandate of the previous government.
“CompanyEstrada Bo’ot was contractedjust to cover pot holes and not to rebuild 50 metres of road. That was not the case,” added MP Rodrigues.
He added the asphalt currently being used by company Estrada Bo’ot to cover potholes is cold asphalt but according to the soil characteristic of Timor they needed to use hot asphalt because the soil is rich in carbon.
