Rural Power Station and Water Supply and Sanitation Projects Inaugurated in Timor-Leste

DILI, TIMOR-LESTE (8 August 2003) - Two rural power stations and distribution systems under the ADB-managed Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project in Timor-Leste were inaugurated today along with a water supply and sanitation scheme.

Egidio de Jesus, Secretary of State for Power and Water of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Public Works, inaugurated the projects, which were funded from the Trust Fund for East Timor (TFET).

The two power stations are located in the subdistricts of Manelima in Manatuto and Turiscai in Manufahi, while the water supply and sanitation rehabilitation scheme, under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, is in the district of Atauro.

The inauguration ceremonies were witnessed by the District and Sub-district Administrators, Manila-based officials of ADB, Meeja Hamm, Resident Representative of ADB's Special Office in Timor-Leste, government officials, Project Management Unit staff, and local residents.

The inauguration of the two rural power stations brings to a total of 12 power stations now fully rehabilitated and operational out of the 14 covered under the project. The remaining two power stations will become operational before the end of this month.

The Project supports economic development, growth, improved quality of life, and reduction of poverty in rural areas. It also aims to promote sustainable and affordable power stations managed by village-based power committees. Beneficiaries will include 10,000 rural households, micro enterprises, and rural based business activities.

"We cannot overemphasize the impact of the rural power restoration program on poverty alleviation, social recovery, and enhanced quality of life in rural areas," Ms. Hamm said.

"Its positive effects on society and economy are immense, particularly to the poor, helping in the development of commerce and jobs, as well as social services that rely on electricity, such as education and health facilities."

She added that households that never previously had power supply will now enjoy greater convenience and comfort.

"In short, availability of electricity greatly contributes to the reduction of poverty," she said.

The water supply and sanitation rehabilitation schemes under the project have been restoring the damaged and inadequate water supply and sanitation infrastructure throughout the country and reestablishing the human and institutional capacity needed to manage, operate, and maintain the infrastructure.

The water supply and sanitation component will directly benefit more than 245,000 persons, who will enjoy improved water supply and sanitation systems that involve construction of deep wells, diesel powered pumps, water reservoirs, pipelines, and a number of public tanks and tapstands.

In some districts, polyethylene pipes with welded joints, a construction method new to the country, were used extensively due to their durability and strength.

In certain rural areas covered under the project, the Government lacked the capacity or resources to develop water supply and sanitation systems or to operate and maintain such systems.

In such areas, the model adopted for the development of rural water supply was based on partnerships between communities and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to develop, operate, and maintain facilities.

The Government provided support via active involvement in planning, donor coordination, establishment of technical standards and guidelines, and monitoring and evaluation.

Communities provided labor for development and operations and some donors have funded development materials and equipment as well as capacity building.

"The water supply and sanitation project has effectively implemented a model that allows the benefits of safe water supply to be enjoyed by rural communities where poverty is highest," Ms. Hamm points out

ADB has been managing various projects funded from the TFET for a total amount of US$52.8 million. They include US$38.8 million for infrastructure rehabilitation, US$9 million for water supply and sanitation, US$4 million for microfinance development, and US$1 million for the rehabilitation of fisheries facilities in a port.

From ADB's own resources, it has provided technical assistance (TA) grants for a total of US$8.7 million to support implementation of TFET-funded projects, either for project preparation or addressing specific capacity building and institutional issues such as good governance and poverty assessment.

ADB has provided sector-specific TAs to develop master plans for the transport, power, and water sectors. It has also given wider support that includes assistance to the petroleum sector, capacity building to develop public sector management, local governance, the development of the country's postal services and the country's requirements on general capacity and local institutional development.