During the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Staatsolie, the Surinamese state-owned oil company, Rudolf Elias was officially appointed as the new President-Commissaris. The meeting, held at the Cabinet of the President, also confirmed the remaining members of the new Board of Commissioners (RvC). The newly appointed RvC includes Sergio Akiemboto, Aroon Samjhawan, Chantal Doekhie, Edgar Caffé, Ewald Poetisi, and Rudy Chin Jen Sem, succeeding the previous team led by Gonda Asadang, as reported by the Suriname Communication Service.
Elias, who served as the General Director of Staatsolie from 2014 to 2021, brings extensive experience to the role, strengthening the company’s strategic oversight during a critical phase of growth in both onshore and offshore oil and gas operations. The new board will collaborate with the executive team to ensure professional governance and sustainable value creation for Surinamese society.
Sergio Akiemboto, a member of the RvC, emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the board, the executive team, and the state as the primary shareholder. “The RvC represents the shareholder and safeguards the state’s direction and vision within Staatsolie. At the same time, our role is to oversee, monitor, and advise, enabling the executive team to fulfill its responsibilities effectively,” Akiemboto stated. He also highlighted the significance of transparency and sustainable development, noting that oil revenues should be used to strengthen other sectors such as education, agriculture, and tourism, fostering a resilient and diversified economy.
General Director Annand Jagesar reported that Staatsolie is performing strongly both financially and operationally. “Our production, refining, and offshore activities are on track. The Gran Morgu project, expected to enable Suriname to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day by 2028, is progressing on schedule and within budget.” Jagesar added that the project will not only generate direct income through royalties and taxes but also contribute to local employment and business development. “Local content development is crucial. We aim for Surinamese workers and businesses to actively participate in this growing sector.”