The Raiheu suku community, located in the Kailako administrative post in Bobonaro municipality, did not have access to electricity during the Indonesian occupation or since Timor-Leste gained independence.
National MP Jacinta Abu Cau Pereira said this situation made it very difficult for children to study at night and meant they had to use a kerosene lamp.
She said roads, electricity and clean water were basic rights and the government had an obligation to meet these needs.
While 100% of communities in some sukus and the sub-villages already had access to electricity, some like Raiheu suku were still waiting.
“The government should make efforts to ensure all communities can access it (electricity),” she said.
Roads in the Raiheu suku are also in poor condition.
In response to the issue, First Deputy Minister of Public Works Januario da Costa Pereira said the government had committed to provide electricity to all communities by 2030.
“Our plan is that in 2030 all people will have access to electricity and those who don’t have access will gradually all be able to access,” he said.
