VHP faction leader Asiskumar Gajadien has sharply criticized the way the government is dealing with various state-owned companies in the National Assembly (DNA). According to him, governance and operational problems are causing growing uncertainty about essential services in Suriname.
Gajadien recently said in parliament that it seems to him as if the government “has lost its bearings.” He referred to the situation at several state-owned companies and institutions where, in his view, problems exist in the areas of governance and finance, service provision and oversight. The parliamentarian believes that the government, as a shareholder, must take clearer action and assume greater control.
Gajadien listed, among others, the Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij (SWM), Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS), the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS), Cevihas, the Staatsziekenfonds (SZF), Canawaima, the Melkcentrale and the Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (SLM). According to him, these are organizations that are directly or indirectly very important to society and therefore must not remain in prolonged administrative or financial uncertainty.
The VHP faction leader called on President Jennifer Simons to address the problems at the state-owned companies centrally. He stated that the government should not only respond when acute problems arise, but should also provide structural clarity about policy, oversight and the responsibilities of ministers and management boards.
Gajadien calls for clear direction over state-owned companies
Gajadien’s criticism comes at a time when several of the companies he mentioned are the subject of debate. At SLM, for example, discussions are taking place about the state’s financial support and the conditions under which that support can continue. Key News previously reported that the airline receives approximately USD 2 million per month in government support and that the government wants to formalize the financial relationship in a more businesslike manner through a loan agreement.
The situation at EBS is also current. This week, the electricity company warned of possible power outages in several districts due to a shortage of available generation capacity. At the same time, the government is discussing the investments needed to increase capacity and better address future shortages.
According to Gajadien, the government must provide clarity about governance, oversight and responsibility at state-owned companies.
Problems at TAS, Cevihas, Canawaima and SWM
The situation at TAS also drew political attention this week. The Council of Ministers did not approve a request to suspend director Wendy Jap A Joe, after the supervisory board had called for measures. At Cevihas, DNA member Raymon Sapoen previously warned that, in his view, the company is sinking ever deeper into financial and administrative problems.
Canawaima also experienced a period of uncertainty. The regular ferry service between Suriname and Guyana resumed on Friday, August 28, after the sailing ban was lifted. At SWM, the main subject of discussion is the necessary investment in the drinking water supply. Parliamentarians and the government have called attention to outdated infrastructure and the investments needed to keep the supply reliable over the longer term.
Gajadien calls for thematic meeting on state-owned companies
Gajadien also criticized the government’s provision of information. He referred to Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communication and Tourism, who, according to him, had been unable to adequately answer questions from parliament concerning, among other things, SLM and Canawaima. “There is uncertainty across the board,” said the VHP faction leader.
According to Gajadien, a separate thematic meeting is needed in which the president and parliament can discuss the situation at the state-owned companies in broad terms. In his view, such a meeting should provide clarity about the financial position, the performance of management boards, oversight by supervisory boards and the responsibility of the ministries involved. DNA’s parliamentary proceedings can also be followed via the parliament’s official website.
Staffing measures not ruled out
He believes that personnel measures should not be ruled out when it becomes clear that the management of a state-owned company is not functioning adequately. “If the management of these companies needs to be replaced, that must happen,” Gajadien said. According to him, the interests of society must come first, because many of the companies mentioned are responsible for services on which citizens and businesses rely every day.
The discussion about state-owned companies therefore goes beyond any one individual company. At companies such as SLM, EBS, SWM and Canawaima, various issues are at play, but according to Gajadien, the overarching question is how the government acts as shareholder and policymaker when companies come under financial, operational or administrative pressure. More background can be found in the earlier Key News article about the tough decisions that, according to Vice President Gregory Rusland, are needed for SLM’s survival.
