Liquica-Maubara road section completed

LIQUICA, TIMOR-LESTE (5 February, 2014) – A special ceremony was held today to officially open the Liquica-Maubara section of road recently completed under the Road Network Development Sector Project, funded by a grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The Project has rehabilitated 16 kilometers of national roads, developed a road maintenance program, and will have upgraded 60 kilometers of national roads when it is completed at the end of 2015.

Fernando Lasama de Araujo, Vice Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, led the road opening delegation at the ceremony alongside the Minister of Public Works, Gastao De Sousa, and Shane Rosenthal, Resident Representative from ADB’s Timor-Leste Resident Mission.

“As well as strengthening connectivity, the improved stretch of road will accelerated economic opportunities, promote private sector growth, increase agricultural productivity, and reduce poverty,” Mr. Rosenthal said. “This more reliable and safer road should increase passenger and cargo traffic while reducing travel times.”

A key element of the road project is its climate resilient design, meaning the upgraded road will be less vulnerable to floods and landslides. Improving the road between Dili and the border will boost ties with Indonesia, which is Timor-Leste’s main source of imports and third-largest export market.

The project is not only supporting road rehabilitation, but is also helping the government to establish systems and practices for road maintenance. The Ministry of Public Works is expected to replicate the models developed under the project in other regions of Timor-Leste. Training has been provided to build the capacity of national contractors in road maintenance technology, procurement, and project management.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.

ENDS

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