Ermera agricultural extension agents have called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) to provide them with transportation needed to carry out their work to support communities.
Extension agent Maria Marques Soares said MAP had previously promised agents transportation but had not yet delivered.
She said 31 extension agents served more than 50 villages in Ermera.
Each agent was covered up to four villages, she said.
“We need transport to cover those villages and we were told they had purchased motorbikes but we haven’t received them,” Soares said.
Extension agents provide community members with agricultural help and advice in an effort to increase food production in Timor-Leste.
Lemia Leten village head Jose Araujo called on the government to take action.
“(The government should) create proper conditions for the extension agents because they have lots of work in comparison to those who do have the use of cars or motorbikes,” he said
Commission D (for the economy and development) member Member of Parliament Brigida Antonia Correia said some extension agents had received transportation while others were still waiting.
She said the motorcycles were being registered at the Directorate of Transport before they were delivered to extension agents.
