DILI, 28 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) has no competence to interfere with the Government’s resolution on participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai event, which would take place on october 1, 2021, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
CAC’s Commissioner H.E. Dr. Sergio Hornai said the Expo 2020 Dubai was the government’s resolution, and CAC has no power to interfere in the program, saying as a government institution, CAC coordinated with the National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai in Timor-Leste (ANED-TL) to ensure the money would be executed properly.
“I call on the Coordinator-General of the National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai in Timor-Leste (ANED-TL) and his team and the relevant ministry to execute the US$ 1 million properly, to ensure good governance and accountability. This meeting is to ensure that the money has to be adequately spent on the defined programs and activities of the Expo 2021 Dubai. Thus, the relevant ministry must instruct ANED-TL to ensure its accountability,” Hornai made the comments after meeting the National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai in Timor-Leste (ANED-TL) at CAC’s office, in Dili, on monday.
Hornai said CAC would continue monitoring Timor-Leste’s participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai from the beginning through to the end: “Of course, it is a state’s money, so CAC, media and the public must accompany the whole process of Timor-Leste’s participation in the exhibition.”
At the same place, The Coordinator-General of the National Authority for Expo 2020 Dubai in Timor-Leste (ANED-TL), Manuel Vong said the meeting with CAC’s Commissioner was important to ensure ANED-TL would prevent any irregularities with Timor-Leste’s Expo 2020 Dubai program.
“I will exercise my role as the Coordinator-General of the National Authority of Expo Dubai in Timor-Leste accordingly, to ensure that this exhibition would benefit the nation and the people of Timor-Leste,” affirmed Vong.
Up to US$ 1 million had been allocated by the government to spend on Timor-Leste’s participation in the event.
“Apart from the government’s approved US$ 1 million, the UAE also provided Timor-Leste with US$2.3 million. So, in total we have US$ 3.3 million for the Expo 2021 Dubai,” added Vong.
A delegation from the relevant ministries would participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai, including 12 Timorese nationals who had been chosen by ANED-TL to work in Timor-Leste exhibition display stands during the exhibition in Dubai.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
