During a routine plenary session for processing incoming parliamentary documents in Suriname’s National Assembly, two sitting assembly members have thrown the spotlight onto two unresolved public administration issues, prompting internal debate over how to handle unconfirmed allegations against government entities.
NDP parliamentarian Ebu Jones first drew legislative attention to a series of stalled probes targeting senior officials across multiple public agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), gold mining firm Grassalco, and the Ministry of Public Works. Jones specifically centered his query on the investigation into former LVV Minister Parmanand Sewdien, claiming that the dedicated police task force assembled to handle the case has already been disbanded. “I want clear answers on the exact status of these investigations, and why they have been halted mid-process,” Jones stated in his address to the assembly.
Following Jones’ remarks, NPS lawmaker Ivanildo Plein raised a separate allegation related to NV Luchthavenbeheer, Suriname’s state-owned airport management company. According to unconfirmed information obtained by Plein, the government has unilaterally approved a 10-year contract extension for a senior executive at the firm, a decision he calls highly unusual given the company’s well-documented strained financial position. “If this report is accurate, this move is simply unjustifiable,” Plein said, calling on the administration to release a full public explanation of the deal.
The unsubstantiated allegations quickly sparked debate among parliamentary leaders from across the political spectrum. VHP parliamentary group leader Asiskumar Gajadien pushed back against the claims, warning that serious public accusations are being brought forward in the national legislature without any supporting documentary evidence to back them up.
NDP parliamentary leader Rabin Parmessar echoed Gajadien’s concerns, noting that the government must respond to the allegations before unconfirmed reports spread and gain unwarranted public credibility. At the same time, Parmessar emphasized that all assembly members have a responsibility to approach unvetted information with extreme caution. “When we do not have supporting documents to present, we should not be making these claims publicly,” he said, adding that any information must be fully verified before it is shared from the parliamentary floor. “I could bring up dozens of unconfirmed questions myself, but verification must come first before any public statement.”
Vice President Gregory Rusland, responding on behalf of the administration, noted that the government was not prepared to deliver an immediate response to the questions raised during the incoming documents session. He confirmed that formal, detailed answers to all the queries will be provided at a scheduled future parliamentary sitting.