The payment of overdue fuel compensation to bus owners operating for the Nationaal Vervoer Bedrijf (NVB, National Transport Company) has been delayed due to an administrative error, according to the Kabinet van de President (Office of the President). The required documents have since been corrected and are with the Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS) for final processing. No specific payment date has been given.
This was communicated by Sergio Akiemboto, chief of staff of the Kabinet van de President, to protesting members of the Bond van Bus- en Boothouders in Suriname (BBBS) on Thursday, October 15. The bus owners went to the office to draw attention to the payment arrears. At that point, they had already been taking action for three days.
According to BBBS chairman Cotino Finisie, the bus owners have been waiting for their fuel compensation for six months. The arrears prompted the members to stop work.
Based on information from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Akiemboto explained that the documents for the payment had to be amended. He assured the bus owners that they would receive their money soon. According to the chief of staff, President Jennifer Simons has personally dealt with the matter.
In addition to the payment arrears, the union is also questioning the calculation model for fuel compensation. BBBS vice-chairman Vikash Nankoe says that the NVB uses an incorrect model, making the fuel prices used in it appear higher than the actual prices. The union is demanding a correct and transparent calculation.
Nankoe stressed that the overdue fuel compensation is separate from the regular government subsidies. According to him, these have been paid, with one month even paid in advance. He expressed his gratitude to the government for this.
Akiemboto acknowledged the bus owners’ right to take action, but also pointed to their responsibility because of the traffic congestion caused by the protest. He called on the union to continue consultations.
