DILI, 06 january 2025 (TATOLI) — The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry (MAPPF) plans to build Timor-Leste’s first fishing port in Wenunuk village, Metinaro Administrative Post, Dili Municipality, this year.
The port aims to strengthen government efforts to control fishing activities and improve the management and protection of fish resources in Timor-Leste’s waters.
Fernando da Silva, Head of the Department of Fish Market Ports and Fish Landing Centers at MAPPF, told Tatoli that feasibility studies for the project were conducted between 2010 and 2014.
He said the studies were followed by the preparation of a Detailed Engineering Design (DED) in 2014 by Portuguese engineering firm Consulmar.
According to Silva, Consulmar has not yet submitted the final DED report to the government, as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 forced the firm to return to Portugal, delaying completion and formal approval of the design.
He said the government, through MAPPF, is currently planning to re-engage Consulmar to submit the final DED report, a necessary step for the project to move forward.
Silva explained that while the initial budget for the fishing port design was US$55 million, only US$81,000 is currently available to finalize the design due to the incomplete contract.
He added that if Consulmar is unable to resume its work, then the government will contract another consultant to complete the remaining design.
“With the budget available, we can contract another consultant to complete the final design,” da Silva said, adding that MAPPF remains committed to the project and aims to launch the project this year.
To ensure construction proceeds smoothly, he said MAPPF is coordinating with the Ministry of Justice, particularly the Land and Property Directorate and the National Cadastral System, to reassess the proposed site and confirm land ownership and certification.
TATOLI
