DNA member Pawiroredjo warns against overly rapid developments driven by oil dollars

According to Pawiroredjo, the oil industry will generate considerably more revenue for the state treasury than the bauxite industry did at the time, and possibly also more than the current gold sector. “The developments awaiting us are of a different order,” he said.

The DNA member believes that government leaders must prepare well for how future oil revenues will be handled. According to him, this should involve a deliberate examination of experiences in other oil-producing countries.

“There are enough examples, such as Venezuela and Guyana,” Pawiroredjo stated.

According to him, Venezuela has very large oil reserves, but the country has been unable to benefit sufficiently from that wealth due to poor management. Guyana is approaching development differently in certain areas, according to him, but he also sees risks there.

Pawiroredjo pointed, among other things, to the arrival of foreign experts in Guyana and the differences this has created in the labour market and in salaries, according to him. He stated that this could contribute to greater income disparities and rising prices, putting lower-income groups in particular under pressure.

According to Pawiroredjo, the Guyanese government has therefore had to take measures to provide financial support to parts of the population. “But that is not the intention either,” he said.

The parliamentarian fears that Suriname could face similar problems if the development of the oil industry and the accompanying revenues are not properly managed.

He therefore advocates a broad approach, involving not only the government but also the opposition and society in preparations for oil and gas development.

“Everyone is engaged with this issue, so steps are being considered to address this properly,” Pawiroredjo said.