The Energy Authority Suriname (EAS) has responded to recent reports of widespread power outages across multiple districts, acknowledging the concerns of citizens and businesses. The regulator emphasized the critical importance of a reliable electricity supply for the nation. Since 2021, the EAS has laid the groundwork for improved regulation and modernization of the sector, with significant preparatory work addressing current challenges. The EAS has three core mandates: advising the government, regulating the electricity sector, and promoting a safe, reliable, and affordable power supply. Additionally, it approves kWh tariffs, ensures compliance with laws, and encourages sustainable energy solutions. Following a recent outage earlier this month, the EAS received information from the EBS and highlighted the need for better preventive maintenance, timely inspections, infrastructure modernization, and more transparent public communication. A key part of the solution lies in the Electricity Sector Plan, submitted to the government in May 2025 for approval. This plan includes a 20-year strategic vision, a five-year investment roadmap, technical recommendations, improved tariff methodologies, and proposals for strengthening legal frameworks. The EAS is also collaborating with sector partners and the Inter-American Development Bank on projects to modernize regulations, enhance oversight, build capacity, and invest in sustainable energy. A transparent framework for renewable energy project tenders has already been developed. The EAS has prepared necessary analyses, frameworks, and recommendations for future working groups, enabling the country to build on existing efforts rather than starting anew. The authority stressed that electricity is a basic necessity and is ready to support the government and sector partners with data, policy proposals, and international best practices. The recent outage underscores the urgency of implementing the Electricity Sector Plan to ensure Suriname achieves a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply.
分类: society
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INTRANT issues traffic plan for Bad Bunny’s concerts
In preparation for the highly anticipated Bad Bunny concerts near the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center this Friday and Saturday, the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT) and the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (DIGESETT) have unveiled a comprehensive traffic management plan. To mitigate congestion in the event zone, motorists are advised to utilize alternate routes, including Mexico Avenue, Abraham Lincoln Avenue, Independence Avenue, George Washington Avenue, Delgado Street, and Leopoldo Navarro Avenue, starting at 3:00 p.m. These routes are designed to divert traffic away from the immediate vicinity of the Olympic Center. Additionally, parking restrictions will be enforced on major thoroughfares such as Máximo Gómez, 27 de Febrero, John F. Kennedy, and Ortega y Gasset avenues. Sidewalk occupation and lingering in public areas will also be prohibited to maintain order. Vehicle access to the Olympic Center will be strictly limited to sports activities and internal operations, with entry permitted only through gates on Máximo Gómez Avenue and 27 de Febrero Avenue. Buses and tour operator vehicles will be allowed to drop off passengers in surrounding areas, with John F. Kennedy Avenue designated as a primary transfer point. For the concert’s exit, expected in the early morning hours, Ortega y Gasset Avenue will operate exclusively southbound, from Gustavo Mejía Ricart Avenue to John F. Kennedy Avenue, with priority given to pedestrian safety. Authorities have strongly encouraged the use of public transportation, including the Santo Domingo Metro, bus corridors, and authorized taxis, to reduce traffic pressure. Officials emphasized that these measures aim to enhance traffic flow and ensure safer mobility throughout the National District during the event.
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Deputy warns Intrant is profiting from new motorcycle helmet rules
Santo Domingo – Representative Tobías Crespo, the architect behind Law 63-17 on Mobility and Transit, has leveled serious allegations against the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT). Crespo accused the agency of deviating from its core mission of regulating and ensuring road safety in the Dominican Republic, instead engaging in profit-driven practices. The lawmaker’s critique centers on INTRANT’s new regulation mandating the use of specific motorcycle helmets, which he claims imposes undue financial burdens on motorcyclists. According to Crespo, the helmets, priced at RD$3,500 each for both drivers and passengers, are excessively costly and appear to benefit select companies rather than prioritizing public safety. He argued that this move contradicts the spirit of Law 63-17, which was designed to enhance road safety, not to create exclusive business opportunities. Crespo urged INTRANT to focus on enforcing existing laws that improve mobility and protect citizens, rather than implementing measures that exploit the population. He also referenced Law 176-07, which mandates municipalities to safeguard public interest and prevent policies that prioritize private profit over transparency and security. While Crespo acknowledged the importance of helmets meeting international safety standards, he emphasized that regulations must not be manipulated to financially benefit a privileged few.
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Although it will take time, the East will recover
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has been actively overseeing recovery efforts in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Granma, following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. During his fourth visit to Santiago de Cuba in 22 days, Díaz-Canel inspected the collapsed bridge over the Baconao River, which serves as a crucial access point to the communities of María del Pilar and 13 de Marzo. The bridge was severely damaged by unprecedented flooding, with 18 of its 24 pipe passages blocked by debris washed down from the hillside. Local leader Luis Arias recounted the harrowing experience of the storm, noting that the region accumulated over 310 millimeters of rain in just three days.
Díaz-Canel emphasized the need for a definitive solution to the recurring issue of flooding in the area, instructing construction and water resources authorities to revisit the Baconao dam project, an initiative originally championed by former leader Fidel Castro in the 1980s. The President also addressed the restoration of essential services, including electricity and water supply, which are expected to be fully operational by the end of November. In the town of Baconao, Díaz-Canel praised the resilience and unity of the local population, urging them to continue their efforts in the recovery process.
In Granma, the President visited the municipality of Yara, where he commended the community’s disciplined response to the hurricane, which prevented any loss of life. He highlighted the importance of solidarity and mutual aid in overcoming the challenges posed by the disaster. Local authorities reported significant damage to housing, agriculture, and infrastructure, with efforts underway to provide affected families with essential supplies and resources. Díaz-Canel also acknowledged the support received from friendly countries and the private sector, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration to expedite recovery.
Throughout his visits, Díaz-Canel called for unity, discipline, and effective communication to ensure a swift and comprehensive recovery. He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the immediate needs of the affected populations while also working on long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
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Voorbij de vlag: de Onvoltooide Onafhankelijkheid
As Suriname marks 50 years of independence, the nation finds itself reflecting on the deeper meaning of freedom. The journey since 1975, when Suriname formally severed ties with its colonial past, has been one of both pride and introspection. Yet, the question lingers: what has been achieved with this hard-won independence? True liberation, it seems, demands more than political autonomy; it requires a transformation within the people themselves. The scars of slavery, indentured labor, and colonial exploitation remain etched in the national consciousness, symbolized by monuments like the statue of Kwakoe, whose broken chains still hang from his wrists. These remnants of history serve as a reminder that while the nation is free in name, it remains bound by the invisible chains of division, distrust, and complacency. The relationship with the Netherlands, though complex, persists through shared language, culture, and familial ties. Rather than dwelling on past grievances, the call is for Suriname to view the Netherlands as a partner in progress, fostering collaboration in trade, education, and sustainable development. The true battle for independence, however, lies within. It is a fight against the internalized colonial mindset that perpetuates inequality and corruption. The promise of oil revenues offers economic potential, but it is not a panacea for the nation’s structural challenges. Real change will only come when Surinamese society confronts its own shortcomings, embraces unity, and takes collective responsibility for its future. Fifty years of independence is not just a milestone but a call to action—a reminder that true freedom is a daily commitment, requiring courage, character, and the recognition that liberation begins with self-transformation.





