Dili, Oct. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - The state-owned company Eletricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL) on Tuesday urged the public not to make unauthorised connections to the electricity grid in order to prevent short circuits, as well as fires and explosions.

«I urge everyone to contact EDTL whenever they need to connect to the electricity supply. Do not make the connection yourselves,» said the company's chairman, Paulo Silva, on the sidelines of signing an agreement with the World Bank in Dili.

Last week, the city of Dili saw fires break out in two markets in the Timorese capital, allegedly due to electrical short circuits.

«I cannot draw any conclusions about these incidents. Everyone tries to justify their actions, but as far as EDTL is concerned, there is no intention whatsoever to connect a property to the electricity supply only to subsequently destroy the community's homes,» said Paulo Silva when questioned by journalists about the cause of those short circuits.

He expressed his concern and sadness at the fact that he sometimes observes Timorese citizens making illegal connections to the electricity grid without EDTL's knowledge.

«The rules state that it is EDTL that must carry out the electricity connections, but in Timor-Leste this is not the case. All Timorese are technicians and electricians. Consequently, electrical connections to homes are made without us knowing what standards are being used or whether the installations are fit for purpose,» he regretfully explained.

He explained that, should an EDTL technician make an incorrect connection, there are internal mechanisms in place to rectify the situation. He therefore reiterated his call for compliance with the rules.

DPYF/AYLS // AYLS

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