Baucau, 10 January 2026
The Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment (MPIE), H.E. Eng. Gastão Francisco de Sousa, participated in the inauguration ceremony of the rehabilitation of the road connecting Cairavela to Caisidu and Baucau Airport, officially inaugurated by H.E. the Prime Minister of the RDTL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
In his speech, H.E. Minister Eng. Gastão Francisco de Sousa stated that the planning of this road project began during the V Constitutional Government and its implementation continued under the VI Constitutional Government, following the strategic orientation of the MPIE in 2015, when Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão served as Minister.
“The road package project was temporarily suspended, but in 2025 the Government resumed its final phase, and today we officially inaugurate an 8-kilometer road,” said the Minister.
The Minister also urged municipal authorities and the local population to properly care for this infrastructure investment, which will generate significant benefits for Baucau Municipality and other municipalities in the eastern region of Timor-Leste.
The road rehabilitation project was approved with a total budget of USD 6 million, funded by the MPIE through the Infrastructure Fund Administration Council (IFAC), with full verification, inspection, and supervision carried out by the National Development Agency (ADN, IP), in collaboration with the Baucau Municipal Authority.
Project implementation was undertaken by JOVA Construction Company, with a duration of one year, starting from Cairavela, passing through Caisidu village, and ending at Baucau Airport.
The project’s groundbreaking ceremony took place on 11 January 2025, led by the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Eng. Gastão Francisco de Sousa, following approval by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
On the same occasion, the President of the Baucau Municipal Authority, Dr. Veneranda E. M. Lemos Martins, expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire community to the IX Constitutional Government, through the MPIE, for continuing and completing the project, which now provides improved access for local communities.
She also requested continued attention from the central government, particularly regarding urban roads within the municipality.
In his remarks, H.E. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called on local authorities to work together with youth groups to safeguard road infrastructure, ensuring its proper maintenance and long-term use.