A significant land management scandal has emerged in Suriname, revealing that a portion of the National Democratic Party (NDP) party grounds operated by Stichting Ontspanningscentrum Eerste Rijweg (OCER) was unlawfully allocated during the previous government term. This finding comes from an official investigation conducted by the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB).
Assembly Member Bronto Somohardjo, who chairs the GBB’s permanent committee, provided documented evidence to substantiate these claims. The disputed property has been legally leased to OCER since 1991 for social and recreational purposes. According to cadastral maps and official registrations, the allocated parcel was not state-owned domain land but fell entirely within an existing land lease right.
The Land Survey Service’s conclusion is unequivocal: the allocation was legally incorrect. Somohardjo disclosed that over recent months, he has been approached by hundreds of citizens and organizations who had completely lost confidence in the land management system. These individuals presented concrete cases with requests for official verification of what had actually occurred.
“These were not mere stories or rumors,” Somohardjo emphasized. “People came forward with documents in hand, stating: ‘Check this for us because we no longer trust the system.’ I take such concerns seriously.”
The OCER case confirms what many citizens have experienced for years, according to Somohardjo. “If even OCER wasn’t safe, then no one was safe during that period. That’s the harsh reality we must face.” He noted that rules provided no protection, and people who believed their rights were secure could still lose them, causing profound damage to public trust in government.
However, Somohardjo highlighted that a different approach now prevails. “What matters to me is that complaints today aren’t dismissed. They’re investigated. This isn’t an easy path and progress can be challenging, but it’s the correct approach.”
The politician pointed out that the GBB ministry has since addressed and resolved multiple stalled cases. Despite significant backlogs and complex problems, progress is being made step by step toward restoring legal certainty.
“People no longer need to fear that their property might simply disappear,” Somohardjo stated. “Those who come forward today will be heard. As long as I bear responsibility, I will ensure that rules provide protection rather than uncertainty.”