A concerning spike in diarrhea cases has been reported in the Indigenous village of Kwamalasamutu, following the failure of the local water purification plant due to a lightning strike. The plant remains unrepaired, forcing residents to rely on untreated river water, which poses a direct threat to public health. Maureen Wijngaarde-van Dijk, Deputy Director of the Medical Mission Primary Health Care (MZ PHC), confirmed that the head of the local clinic has observed a daily increase in cases. “Our staff are advising residents to boil river water before use,” she stated. The National Water Supply Service is responsible for restoring the plant, but the situation has persisted for months. MZ PHC highlighted that chronic underfunding severely limits its ability to respond to emergencies. Rachel Ten-A-Sang-Beerensteyn, Deputy Director of Financial Affairs at MZ PHC, revealed that the organization has received no feedback on funding requests for the second and third quarters, with the last payment covering only 15% of required resources. She added, “We submitted another request for the fourth quarter at the end of September.” The delay in funding jeopardizes the continuity of basic healthcare in the region. MZ PHC urgently calls on authorities to allocate necessary resources immediately to prevent further health risks in Kwamalasamutu and other villages.
标签： Suriname
苏里南
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Afgetreden RvC meldt: SRD 49 miljoen tegoed op Staat bij bestuurswisseling
In a significant leadership transition, the outgoing Board of Commissioners (RvC) of Surzwam N.V. officially handed over control to the newly appointed Board during a special meeting held on Thursday. The ceremony, attended by both Boards, marked the formal transfer of documents, financial records, and responsibilities. Pertap Bissumbhar, the outgoing Chairman, passed the financial and administrative documents to his successor, John Lecton, the new President-Commissioner. Key documents included the annual accounts, with the 2024 report still in draft form, a summary of debtors and creditors revealing Surzwam N.V.’s receivables of approximately SRD 49.5 million from the State and SRD 1.5 million from private debtors, and outstanding obligations worth around SRD 5 million, including SRD 920,000 in unpaid salaries and emoluments over the past three months. The outgoing RvC emphasized that both the previous and current governments were timely informed about the company’s precarious financial situation. Additionally, a detailed report on the ‘Winti Wai’ project, executed in collaboration with the presidential task force “Development Winti Wai & Pontbuiten,” was handed over. The project, which involved maintenance work on the Pararivier, was 80% completed, achieving an estimated 50% cost savings for the government. The remaining 20% was executed via a pontoon due to limited accessibility from the riverbank. An updated inventory list, including equipment acquired in October 2020, was also provided, along with correspondences regarding two land applications, one of which has already been allocated to a third party, against which Surzwam N.V. has formally objected. The outgoing RvC noted that plans to commence sand extraction (fill and sharp sand) have been delayed due to a lack of resources, impacting this and other projects.
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Suriname zet koers naar nationale local content-roadmap
Suriname has taken a significant step toward establishing a unified national strategy for local content development in its energy sector through the Local Content Conference 2025. Organized by the Suriname Energy Chamber (SEC), the three-day event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, parliamentarians, State Oil Company, Energy Authority Suriname (EAS), private sector representatives, labor unions, international oil companies like TotalEnergies, and global partners. The conference aimed to create a cohesive national vision and definition for local content development, with the goal of finalizing a National Local Content Roadmap within months. This roadmap is expected to lay the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive, and diversified economy, ensuring that Surinamese businesses, workers, and communities benefit from the growth in the energy industry. SEC Chairman Orlando Olmberg emphasized the importance of this initiative during the plenary sessions, highlighting TotalEnergies’ $1.5 billion commitment to local content within the GranMorgu project (Block 58) and Afreximbank’s $5 billion facility to strengthen local enterprises for future large-scale projects. These international commitments underscore Suriname’s position at a historic juncture. Vice President Gregory Rusland called for collaboration across all sectors to further develop the energy industry, stressing the government’s responsibility to create a robust and inclusive local content policy. Full support was expressed by both the government and parliament, with Oil, Gas, and Environment Minister Patrick Brunings emphasizing the need for aligned policy, legislation, and execution. National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin announced plans to develop legislation and establish a special committee to oversee the process. Foreign Affairs Minister Melvin Bouva highlighted the importance of local technical capacity, market-aligned education, and transparent social and financial conditions as the foundation for sustainable trust. The conference, which began with a networking event at the Marriott Hotel, included plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions at the Assuria High-Rise Building. Follow-up steps include the establishment of a National Local Content Commission, tasked with presenting a policy proposal within three to four months. This conference marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to embed local content as a cornerstone of Suriname’s future economic development.
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Nieuwe lichting strategisch legerkader klaar voor hoogste functies binnen Defensie
Nine officers, holding the ranks of major and captain, have successfully completed the Command and Staff Course (25-01), the highest military training program within the Surinamese National Army. This intensive ten-month course bridges tactical command and strategic leadership, equipping participants for pivotal roles within the defense apparatus. Colonel Justus Hew A Kee, Commander of the Institute for Defense Training, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “Where you once executed plans, you are now expected to craft them. You transition from tactics to strategy, becoming advisors, policymakers, and co-architects of our future operational strength.” Jayant Bidesie, Director of the Ministry of Defense, emphasized the importance of this new cohort for the moral compass of the armed forces, cautioning against declining discipline. “You are the emerging leadership of the army. Restoring trust—among the population, politicians, and international partners—lies in your hands. Trust is built not with words but with actions,” he stated. Major Ratna Ganpat was recognized as the top graduate of the course. Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen placed the achievement in a global context, noting the rapidly shifting security landscape. “Reacting is not enough—we must anticipate. Strong strategic leadership is not a luxury but a necessity. Weapons win battles, but people win wars,” he asserted. Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Kortstam, the course coordinator, detailed the curriculum, which included strategic planning, conflict analysis, decision-making under pressure, and leadership in dynamic environments. “This course demanded much from them. They worked long hours, dissected complex scenarios, and dared to be vulnerable to grow,” he explained. With the completion of this program, Suriname reaffirms its possession of strategic military leadership of international caliber.
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Brand Charlesburg nog niet onder controle; omwonenden klagen over rook en stank
A persistent fire at the Charlesburg landfill has been raging for several days, causing significant environmental and public health concerns. Despite assurances from Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath that the situation is “manageable,” the blaze remains uncontrolled, with thick smoke causing severe discomfort in the surrounding area. The fire initially appeared to be a minor grass fire, prompting no immediate response. However, as the situation escalated on the illegal dump site, firefighters were deployed to contain the flames. After briefly withdrawing when the immediate threat to nearby homes subsided, they were called back due to fears of environmental damage from the smoke. Monorath acknowledged the limited resources available, stating, “There is some equipment, but not enough. Some of the men are working without proper protective gear, and the area is infested with labaria snakes, making it a dangerous situation.” One worker was bitten by a labaria and required emergency medical treatment. The minister emphasized that landfills should be covered with sand daily to minimize fire risks. At the request of the fire department, a digger from the Ministry of Public Works & Spatial Planning (OWRO) has been deployed to assist in the operations. A nearby creek has been opened to facilitate water access for firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, residents in the area have complained of dense smoke and a pungent odor, reporting respiratory irritation and urging authorities to resolve the situation swiftly.
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Sportcentrum SOSIS opnieuw opengesteld voor publiek; JOS neemt beheer terug
The Willebrod Axwijk Sports and Youth Center, commonly known as SOSIS, located at the intersection of Coesewijne and Marowijne streets, has officially reopened to the public. The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS) has reclaimed management of the complex after its gates were previously blocked by third parties. Through a bailiff’s writ, the Florentina Vyent Foundation was ordered to immediately cease all management activities, open the gates, and remove all illegally constructed structures on the SOSIS premises within five days. The foundation cited a contract signed under the previous administration, but the current ministry leadership claims that several terms of the agreement were not upheld. In the public interest and in alignment with government objectives for sports development, JOS decided to terminate the earlier contract, stating that it did not serve the broader sports community and hindered free public access to the complex. The ministry has begun assessing the sports facilities within the SOSIS complex to ensure safety and usability. For now, the center remains closed to the public during evening hours pending further safety and management measures. This move underscores the ministry’s commitment to keeping state-owned sports infrastructure accessible to all citizens, particularly the youth, for whom sports and physical activity are vital for development and community cohesion. The ministry has urged all sports clubs and organizations using SOSIS facilities to register with the director’s office via phone at 472872 or email at dirsportsenj@gmail.com.
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Column: De digitale vuilnisbelt van de politiek
Social media platforms are increasingly flooded with so-called news sites that peddle opinions and political propaganda under the guise of journalism. These platforms, often masquerading as legitimate online news outlets, lack any journalistic foundation. They are the digital weeds in the political garbage dump: noisy, toxic, and deadly to the quality of public discourse. These sites proliferate across Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, spreading not news but misinformation—deception packaged as information. They operate without editorial oversight, physical addresses, or identifiable authors, ensuring no one is held accountable for their content. To appear credible, they occasionally mix in ‘normal’ news stories, but their primary output is an endless stream of politically biased, strategically driven opinions. Their goal is not to inform but to infect. Behind the scenes, shadowy groups pull the strings—political actors sowing chaos, promoting division (often along ethnic lines), and eroding public trust in legitimate media. Their fake news consists of fabricated quotes, doctored photos, outdated images presented as current, and so-called ‘revelatory’ stories without a single verifiable source. Their message is like poison in honey: enticing but deadly to public trust. The societal damage is immense. Misinformation undermines the foundation of democracy, replacing dialogue with polarization and threatening to drown honest journalism in a sea of lies. Facts are manipulated, emotions are exaggerated, and citizens can no longer discern truth from falsehood. What appears to be freedom of expression is, in reality, organized deception. Combating this digital pollution requires decisive action—not censorship, but accountability. It falls to genuine media and professional journalism to expose these ghost platforms and arm the public against their influence. This is not about limiting freedom but protecting it. Freedom of speech and press freedom are enshrined in constitutions and international treaties like the BUPO Convention and the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. However, freedom is never absolute; it exists within the boundaries of truth, responsibility, and ethics. Dutch scholar H.A. Visser, in his research on the future of journalism, argues that true press freedom can only be guaranteed by independent editorial teams operating within professional and moral frameworks. This is the line between freedom and abuse. What is urgently needed now is transparency: a public list or index of accredited news media that adhere to verifiable sources, editorial responsibility, and journalistic codes. Those who operate outside these standards do not belong in journalism. Real journalism demands time, effort, and professionalism—dedication, integrity, and accountability. Fake news costs nothing but the trust of society. Society itself also has a role to play. Citizens must relearn what news is, who produces it, and what standards it should meet. They should scrutinize publishers, check sources, and avoid sites that scream, accuse, or incite without ever correcting themselves. Freedom of expression is not a license for chaos. For those who poison the news, poison democracy.
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Bij 80 jaar VN: DNA benadrukt noodzaak multilaterale samenwerking
The United Nations (UN) marked its 80th anniversary on Thursday, coinciding with Suriname’s 50th year as a member state. The National Assembly of Suriname held a special session to commemorate these dual milestones, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism, and international responsibility in a world increasingly marred by conflict. Parliament Speaker Michael Adhin highlighted Suriname’s admission as the 146th UN member on December 4, 1975, and its role in translating UN principles into national legislation. UN Resident Coordinator Joanna Kazana praised Suriname as a ‘small nation with significant moral conviction,’ referencing President Jennifer Simons’ recent UN speech advocating for hope, shared responsibility, and climate justice. Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva underscored the UN’s strategic importance for Suriname’s development, noting efforts toward a potential Security Council candidacy by 2043. Parliamentary factions unanimously stressed the UN’s enduring relevance, with calls for fairness in multilateralism and the preservation of peace, justice, and human dignity. Leaders from various parties echoed the sentiment that Suriname’s diversity exemplifies the UN’s ideals, proving that peace is not just an abstract concept but a lived reality.
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Recensie: Hariandi Todirijo – Liliek en de onzichtbare spuiter
Hariandi Todirijo, a multifaceted artist known for his work as a poet, writer, and photographer, has emerged as the winner of the 2023 Donner/Self Reliance Writing Contest with his novella, ‘Liliek en de onzichtbare spuiter.’ Originally trained in technological sciences, Todirijo later found his calling in journalism, contributing to publications like ‘de Ware Tijd.’ His literary prowess was further recognized in 2022 when he was nominated for the Ibis Prize in both prose and poetry categories.
The novella, spanning 104 pages, is distinguished by its use of Surinamese-Dutch, a variant of the Dutch language, interspersed with words from Sranan and Surinamese-Javanese. This linguistic choice not only enriches the narrative but also highlights the cultural diversity of Suriname. The story is set in Lelydorp, a town in Suriname, and is believed to take place in the latter half of the 20th century. References to Suralco’s mining activities and beverages like Spur Cola from Canada Dry provide a vivid historical backdrop.
‘Liliek en de onzichtbare spuiter’ is the first literary work to offer an insider’s perspective on Lelydorp. The protagonist, Liliek, a curious boy, becomes fascinated by tales of an ‘invisible sprayer’ haunting the public cemetery on Schotelweg. Despite his father’s knowledge of the area, Liliek embarks on a personal investigation, uncovering the deep-seated fears and reverence for spiritual forces within the community.
Todirijo masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers engaged until the very end. The dialogues are authentic, reflecting the community’s speech patterns. The novella explores themes of tradition, faith, and curiosity, presenting a universal story rooted in Surinamese reality. Liliek’s character, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a sense of community, resonates with young readers.
The book is set to be presented on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at B.S. Het Park at 7:00 PM. ‘Liliek en de onzichtbare spuiter’ is not just a literary achievement but also a cultural tribute to the spiritual and cultural richness of Lelydorp.
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Esav vraagt president om directe ingreep in strafzaak Pikin Saron
The Indigenous Platform Unity Solidarity Alliance and Progress (Esav) has submitted a petition to President Jennifer Simons, demanding the immediate release or pardon of five Indigenous men involved in the Pikin Saron legal case. Esav also called for a fully independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of Martinus Wolfjager and Ivanildo Dijksteel, urging accountability for those responsible. Additionally, the platform advocated for the establishment of a Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. The petition highlights the escalating tensions over land rights in Pikin Saron, which reached a boiling point on May 2, 2023, when residents took drastic measures after repeated protests, negotiations, and petitions failed to yield results. This led to the hostage-taking of officials and the burning of vehicles and buildings. During the police intervention, two Indigenous men lost their lives. The five suspects initially received an eight-year prison sentence, with their appeal still pending. A separate case against seven police officers suspected of involvement in the deaths of Wolfjager and Dijksteel is also ongoing. Esav further demanded a thorough police investigation into the disappearance of a third Indigenous man during the incident, a review of the proposed 5-kilometer zone around Indigenous villages, formal recognition of demarcation maps for each Indigenous village through VIDS, full acknowledgment of self-determination rights and cultural heritage, and an immediate investigation into environmental pollution in Maripaston and tensions surrounding Grassalco in Pikin Saron and Bigi Poika. The petition was received at the President’s Cabinet by Chief of Staff Sergio Akiemboto, who emphasized that no land rights issue worldwide has been fully resolved within a single term. However, he suggested the necessity of a temporary law to immediately halt or strictly regulate land distribution in Indigenous and Maroon residential areas to prevent a recurrence of Pikin Saron. Esav also presented the same petition to National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin.