The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) in Suriname has initiated legal proceedings against unauthorized occupation of state-owned lands in the Tibiti region of Para district. The contested forestry territories were officially allocated to the ministry for agricultural purposes by the government in March 2023.
During an inspection at kilometer 99 in the Tibiti area, ministry officials encountered workers who claimed to be operating under instructions from two individuals identified as R.M. and K.J. The workers asserted they had received authorization from the son of former LVV Minister Parmanand Sewdien, though the legal validity of such permission remains unclear.
Through a formal legal notice delivered by attorney Deepak Jairam, the ministry has demanded the immediate evacuation of the premises from K.J. The document emphasizes that no authorization has been granted to any parties for activities on these parcels, except to a company responsible for installing an irrigation system for an official agricultural project.
LVV Minister Mike Noersalim confirmed to Starnieuws that significant investments have been made on the property, including equipment, a drip irrigation system, and solar panels valued at approximately €40,000. The Dutch company that executed and delivered these projects has reportedly not yet received payment. Additionally, the site contains a cultivated passion fruit (markoesa) plantation.
The ministry has indicated that if evidence emerges of damage to state property, additional charges for destruction and/or theft will be filed. This incident has reignited concerns regarding the management and supervision of state lands designated for agricultural development. Local police have documented the case and are conducting an investigation into the matter.