The National Director of Water and Sanitation Services (DNSA), Gustavo da Cruz said the government will impose sanctions on anyone caught using a Sanyo (electrical water pump) to draw water illegally and directly from the public water network pipes.
He added the government can impose administrative sanctions based on Decree Law 4/2004 and on the Ministerial Diploma 1/2009 on clean water access.
“We will take serious action on the issue because many communities do not have access to clean water,” said Director da Cruz at Hotel Timor, in Dili.
“We will cut their water and they will need to pay a fine to reconnect,” he added.
He said the fine for an individual is $200 and $500 for an organisation.
So far DNSA has checked illegal connections in the Comoro ares and 29 families have been issued letters of notification because they were illegally connected to the water network and will have to pay the fine.
Director da Cruz added this action is needed not only in Dili but across all municipalities to ensure everyone has access to clean water.
Meanwhile National Member of Parliament MP Francisco da Costa urged competent institutions to take action on this issue and sanction those who destroy network pipes to get water for themselves.
“This needs to happen because in Baucau some people use the Sanyo in their car wash shop every day. This is the reality,” said MP da Costa.
He said also that annually the government spends too much money repairing pipes that would ensure everyone has access to clean water.
