DILI, 09 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The fifty-five families that had been displaced from the construction site of the Betano Polytechnic Institute, in Manufahi municipality, will receive more than US$75,000 in compensation.
Today, the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Minister of Higher Education and Science (MoHES), signed the payment agreement with the National Commercial Bank of Timor-Leste to realize the compensation payment.
Hernâni Viterbo Soares, Director General of MoHES, said that the delay in the payment of the compensation is due to the collection of data, as the government wants to obtain the correct and accurate data of the 55 families.
He said that the data collection process involved other relevant ministers: “For example, we need to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture when it comes to identifying and collecting data on community plants. We also need to work with the Minister of State Administration (MoSA) on collecting data on houses.”
“We actually gave them the opportunity to complain if they disagree with the data, but so far there have been no complaints from these families. That’s why today we signed the payment agreement with the BNCTL to realize the payment of the compensation,” said Soares.
Soares said that the amount of the subsidy to be given to each family varies according to the data collected from each household.
The proposed amount (US$75,000 will be presented to the Council of Ministers this week for approval.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of BNCTL, António Vítor, said that BCNTL is ready to make the payment at any time, as soon as it receives the money from MoHES.
“As soon as we receive the money, we will immediately start paying those who already have a BNCTL bank account,” he said.
Soares added that 26 families have already opened their bank accounts: “I urge the other families to open their bank account too.”
The construction project of the Betano Polytechnic Institute aimed to facilitate higher education for young people in the Manufahi municipality, without the need to go to Dili to continue their studies.
The construction project was launched by the former Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, accompanied by the former Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, and the relevant authorities, last year.
The project cost around US$18.4 million and was built by the Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO).
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
