DILI, 20 february 2023 TATOLI)—The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) committed to cooperating with the Government of Timor-Leste (TL) to implement Dili Urban Master Plan (MP).
Office Representative of JICA to Timor-Leste, Ujike Keisuke explained that previously JICA supported the formulation of the Dili Urban MP 2016, which was not officially approved but referred to by many sectors and so far almost 50% has been implemented.
“The action plan for the new Dili Urban MP has not yet been proposed, but after it has been presented, JICA will be pleased to seek the alternative of cooperation, in collaboration with other international institutions,” Ujike Keisuke explained to Tatoli exclusively at the JICA office, Pantai Kelapa, this monday
Ujike Keisuke said that currently, JICA is not responsible for the new Dili Urban feasibility study, but this is a genuine effort by the Government of Timor-Leste by contracting public consultations with consultants from Indonesia such as PT LAPI ITB from Indonesia.
“JICA attended the National General Public Meeting (NGP) last month and was informed that the study would be completed in March. JICA has no relationship with LAPI ITB. As far as we know, the task of a consulting company is only limited to planning, and will not touch on its implementation,” he said.
According to Keisuke, MP is a coordination tool between various sectors. JICA hopes that the Ministry of Planning and Territory (MPO) will continue to play an important role in coordinating its implementation. It is hoped that the Ministry of State Administration will support the regional government, because the regional government will also play an important role in managing and advancing Dili, including outreach.
“This MP will include many projects in its action plan, some of them may be urgent, and some may not be so. Therefore, each project must be implemented according to the time frame set out in the action plan. We feel the feasibility of the scenario is important. During the implementation phase, we do need to pay a lot of attention to land tenure/disaster risk/etc (other issues). In addition, we should also pay attention to the resilience of infrastructure, “prev.
Previously the MPO, José Maria dos Reis said the Government would launch an Update on the Dili Urban Master Plan in the near future after public consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Currently, MPO is developing urban spatial plans for five cities – Ermera, Bobonaro, Lautem, Viqueque, and Baucau. Spatial plans for these cities will be finalized and launched in 2023.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
