Somoharjdo over intrekken perceel: De steiger is van het volk

The Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) in Suriname has officially revoked the allocated land parcel near the public pier in Leonsberg, previously granted to Sandiep Seemangal. The decision, signed by Minister Stanley Soeropawiro, emphasizes that the revocation was made in the interest of the public. ‘The pier does not belong to an individual but to the people. Minister Soeropawiro has taken the necessary action,’ stated Bronto Somohardjo, Chairman of the GBB Standing Committee, in an interview with Starnieuws. Somohardjo further stressed that the government, with parliamentary support, is committed to reclaiming unlawfully allocated public resources and ensuring that public facilities remain accessible. ‘We will no longer tolerate the privatization of public amenities. Wrongs must be righted. Boat operators will be protected, and the people’s access to the pier will be guaranteed,’ he added. The investigation revealed several critical issues: the parcel borders a public walkway to the pier, which has been in use for decades; its allocation obstructed access to the pier, disregarding existing infrastructure; the Maritime Authority Suriname raised navigational concerns; the land was largely overgrown with weeds and lacked any construction; and no compensation is due to the beneficiary as the revocation serves the public interest. A map confirms the 1,018 m² parcel’s location along the road to the pier, underscoring its role as a vital public access point.