Government of Timor-Leste, KOICA and UNDP inaugurate inter-suco water systems in Baucau and Bobonaro

Over 6,600 inhabitants from nine villages will benefit from two rural water infrastructure projects built by local contractors

August 7, 2020

The resulting two water systems were built by local contractors and will benefit over 6.600 inhabitants and 1.400 households.

Bobonaro Municipality, Timor-Leste, 7 August 2020

On Friday August 7, the Government of Timor-Leste, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) inaugurated a new community water system in Marobo Complex (Bobonaro) expected to benefit around 3,800 inhabitants.

The new infrastructure – which crosses multiple sucos (villages) – marks the completion of the successful KOICA-funded project “Supporting Decentralisation of Public Administration through Effective Delivery of Public Service at Municipal Level.” The two-year project saw close collaboration with and between the Ministry of State Administration (MSA) and the Municipal Authorities of Baucau and Bobonaro.

In 2019, the Baucau and Bobonaro municipalities launched their Strategic Investment Prioritization Plans to 2023. The plans are a roadmap for applying the municipalities’ growing competencies, budgets and guiding public investment. They are the result of inputs from public consultations with over 800 community leaders. They also include mechanisms for evaluating public service delivery.

Improved access to water sources was a top priority for improving living conditions in both municipalities. The resulting two water systems were built by local contractors and will benefit over 6.600 inhabitants and 1.400 households.

Both systems operate across multiple-sucos and improve cooperation between nine villages. They also provided a crucial opportunity for local authorities to develop the municipal capacities when it comes to the design and deliver of infrastructure projects.

Furthermore, these projects were designed through participatory and inclusive processes, where community members were actively encouraged to be involved in the planning. Maintenance groups have also been arranged, to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Women’s participation and concerns were also prioritised throughout the construction, monitoring and maintenance of the infrastructure. A guideline on gender-responsive water infrastructure was developed, and workshops were conducted by local NGOs to ensure that the views of women and girls, as primary users of the water sources, were considered throughout the whole process.

The inauguration ceremony at Sede Suco Soilesu in Bobonaro Municipality was attended by Vice-Minister of State Administration, H.E. Mr. Lino de Jesus Torrezao; Vice-Minister of Public Works, H.E. Mr. Salvador Soares dos Reis Pires; President of the Municipal Authority of Bobonaro, H.E. Mr. Zeferino Soares dos Santos; KOICA Country Director, Mr. Kim Sikhyun; UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Lazima Onta Battha, and distinguished Chefes do Suco, directors from municipal services and community members.

The community water system at Quelicai Vila, in Baucau, will be inaugurated at the end of August and will provide water across three villages, including a local school, health post and police station benefiting over 2.800 inhabitants.

“The Ministry of State Administration is very proud to strengthen its cooperation with KOICA and UNDP in favour of the development and improvement of the Timorese people’s lives” said H.E. Mr. Lino de Jesus Torrezao, Vice-Minister of State Administration, adding: “When there is water, there is life. It is the duty of the Timorese Government to create conditions that support the well-being of its people”.  

“On behalf of KOICA, I would like to congratulate on achievement by the Bobonaro municipality in cooperation with UNDP. As I know my family more than anyone, President of Bobonaro would know best about Bobonaro citizen. That is why decentralization is important in terms of efficient and effective development”, underlined Mr. Kim Sikhyun, KOICA Country Director.

“The water system that we are inaugurating today is not merely an infrastructure project, but it will have a meaningful impact for the communities, especially during the current COVID-19 emergency”, stated Ms. Lazima Onta Battha, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. “The active involvement of the community, and particularly the greater participation of women during the whole process, is key to guarantee the effectiveness of the infrastructure and to build resilient communities”.