It has been one year since construction of the Gleno soccer field in Ermera municipality was stopped after the company ran out of money and was unable to continue the project.
National MP Antonio dos Santos asked the government to take action against the company for abandoning the project and not taking responsibility.
He said the situation was impeding young people’s sporting activities as there was no other place for them to train in the area.
“It is impeding the talent of young people to go forward because there is no other space, it is the only field,” he told a parliamentary plenary session recently.
As well as being used for sporting activities, the field is also used for government activities, including national celebrations.
Meanwhile, construction of soccer fields in Manatuto and Maliana have since been completed.
Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão acknowledged that the company responsible for the project had run into financial problem.
“Our companies have no money, when they want to make a tender bid, they must ask our banks and the banks charge high interest rates,” he said.
Gusmão said the government had talked to the central bank to ask that private banks be allowed to invest in Timor and provide credit to companies with a lower interest rate.
Under the National Strategic Plan 2030, he said the government planned to establish the National Development Bank, but this had not been possible due to poor management of human resources and in reality, the National Commerce Timor-Leste Bank (BNCTL) was also unable to manage funds properly.
He said next year the government would allocate $4 million to the central bank with the aim of providing credit for entrepreneurs and small industries to develop their business.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport (SEJD) Leovigildo da Costa Hornai said that the secretariat was only tasked with monitoring the construction process and that the tender process was the responsibility of the National Procurement Commission (CNA).
He said the government had a solution to the problem and would call the company soon to discuss the issue.
“We will find a good solution to the issue according to the law,” he said.
Local company Maferdy is responsible for the $1.1 million project.
