Venidora Oliveira – Army Chief Major-General Lere Anan Timor has called on the government through the Ministry of Defense to establish a maritime authority to protect the country's ocean's resources.
He said the authority would have an important role in bringing all the other maritime agencies under one umbrella to work together. "We also ask the government to create the proper conditions," he said.
He said the maritime authority should be established under the auspices of the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL), but that the government should determine which institution would be in charge.
Before establishing the authority, he called on the government to provide adequate human resources, materials and facilities. "Those who will be doing the work need the right conditions so that they may fulfill their obligations properly," he said.
He said the most necessary item of equipment was a large ship with the capacity to patrol the south Timor Sea.
National MP Cesar Valente also supported the establishment of a maritime authority. He said centralizing authority under one entity would help avoid misunderstandings in the future.