The Suriname government says persons who have been affected by land allocations in Reeberg, which is situated nearby to the village Koewarsan, will have their land allocation reinstated.
Land Policy and Forest Management Minister, Stanley Soeropawiro, told a meeting of affected residents that land will be reallocated, rolling back a decision by then former government.
Soeropawiro said that the decision also aligns with President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ vision, which prioritises transparency and good governance.
‘This decision does justice to the affected citizens.,’ he said, with some affected residents saying ‘after a long time, we can finally sleep soundly again’.
During a meeting with Soeropawiro on Tuesday, President Geerlings-Simons made it clear that there is no room for arbitrariness, saying ‘if it turns out that allocations have been made outside the correct procedures, they will be revoked’.
In Parliament, two legislators, Bronto Somohardjo and Ebu Jones, described the decision as ‘a victory for transparency and good governance,’ saying representatives have a duty to defend citizens’ rights and correct abuses.
The issue gained momentum this week after residents of Reeberg held a protest demonstration informing reporters of the wrongful land allocation.
During an exploratory working visit, members of the parliamentary committees, said they discovered that previously allocated land had been reallocated and that this was not a case of error, but rather bad faith.
‘Suriname’s land belongs to the people. This is the time to correct mistakes and establish a fair land system,’ Somohardjo said, adding the situation is therefore inevitable.
For his part, Jones said when land is deliberately allocated twice ‘it is not a mistake but an act against the interests of the people.’
The committees’ findings will soon be discussed in the National Assembly.