Venidora Oliveira – A lack of adequate transportation is severely affecting the efficiency of the Criminal Investigation Service (SIK).
SIK commander Chief Inspector Manuel Alves said his unit had access to nine cars – two of which are currently out of service – and nine motorbikes. "Sometimes we have to wait for each other," he said in Kaikoli, Dili.
Chief Inspector Alves said his staff were committed to their duties despite the less than ideal working conditions. A proposal to improve conditions has been put to the government but is still awaiting a response.
Commission B (defence, security and foreign affairs) member Cesar Valente said the National Police of Timor-Leste received vehicles from the United Nations several years ago. "But they are now concerned because those cars are all in poor condition," he said.
He suggested the State Secretariat for Security create an inventory of all out of service vehicles in order to provide a repair cost estimate to be considered during the next budget deliberations. "We need data," he said.
National University of Timor Lorosa'e student Vasco Pereira said he believed public security to be vital and said the government should make it a priority.
"Police assure security in our country and the defence forces protect us against foreign threats," he said. "They need the correct resources including sufficient staff."