DILI, 08 february 2024 (TATOLI) – The Former Secretary of State for Public Works, João Baptista Fernando Alves passed away. He served as the Secretary of State for Public Works in the First Constitutional Government led by former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri.
Alves who also served as the former Deputy President of Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-TL), died at the age of 63 in a heart attack on wednesday (07/02/2024). Alves served twice as Deputy President of CCI-TL for the periods of 2014 – 2018 and 2018 – 2022
“My father suffered a sudden heart attack during his presentation at the NGO Forum Timor-Leste (FONGTIL) office in Dili and was rushed to Vera Cruz Hospital. The doctor realized that his condition was worsening and immediately referred him to the National Hospital, where he could not be saved and was pronounced dead at around 4.15 pm local time.,” said Ivan Alves, the late Alves’ eldest son, in an interview with Tatoli on wednesday.
“After he was diagnosed with a heart problem, the Doctor recommended my father to have heart surgery, but he refused and preferred to just have a regular check-up at the hospital. Last year, he went to Kupang, Indonesia, to have his health checked and everything was fine.
The eldest son remembered his father as a role model for the children, not only as a father but a man and someone who had a caring personality with everyone.
The former president of the CCI-TL, Óscar Lima, recalled that João Alves was a determined person, dedicated to contributing to the country’s national development: “He is a diligent man and works tirelessly for the progress of the ICC-TL.”
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
