The government is investigating land conversions from the 2020–2025 period in which foundations were allocated large areas of state land and shortly afterwards converted these from leasehold to ownership. President Jennifer Simons announced this on Wednesday, 30 September, during her annual address in De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament). According to her, these conversions are not in accordance with the law.
The evaluation must prevent the community from being disadvantaged. Simons emphasised that the approach is not aimed at citizens who have converted the land on which their own homes stand.
According to the president, the investigation focuses on foundations that were allocated areas of several hectares within a short period and subsequently obtained ownership of them quickly. In the annual address, she did not mention the names of foundations, the number of plots or the total land areas.
It was also not explained which legal provisions may have been violated in the conversions under investigation and what measures may follow. The statement that these conversions are not in accordance with the law is therefore, for the time being, the government’s position.
Stricter oversight of land allocation
The evaluation is part of a broader reform of land policy. The Ministry of Grondzaken (Land Affairs) must strengthen oversight of land allocations, conversions and extensions in 2027. Reports of duplicate allocations are being systematically investigated, according to the annual address.
The government also wants to link the allocation of state land more strictly to its actual use. This is intended to counter land speculation. A modern legal framework is being developed for land issued for productive purposes, with shorter timeframes and stricter enforcement of the cultivation obligation.
The government also wants to provide better legal protection for state domain lands against attachments.
Backlogs and duplicate allocations
In addition to monitoring large land conversions, Simons announced the accelerated handling of long-running cases and family divisions. According to the president, services have been decentralised to the districts.
Digitalisation and the integration of land services must ensure more transparent administration and help prevent the same land from being allocated multiple times.
The government also wants to amend legislation governing the allocation of state land. The aim is to strengthen the leasehold title and make the handling of applications more efficient.
No timeframe for completing the evaluation of land conversions from 2020–2025 was mentioned in the annual address.
