The community of Leiloko in Manatuto’s Laclo sub-district has called on the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) to build a flood levy to protect them from the Leiloko River which threatens their livelihoods in rainy season.
Leiloko resident John Carceres said communities near the river bank faced a big threat from flooding.
“When it’s in flood the water reaches the houses, therefore we want a protective wall,” he urged.
He said the problem had worsened since the Indonesian time.
Laclo sub-district administration representative Jacinto dos Santos said the district administration had submitted a proposal to the federal government to address the problem.
Dos Santos said the river had burst its banks in 2002, causing widespread damage to homes and farms.
He said the proposal had been submitted every year since on behalf of the sub-district administrator.
