The government wants to link the allocation of building plots more closely to housing construction and actual land use. Land conversions from the 2020 to 2025 period will also be scrutinised. Minister Melvin Bouva announced this on Friday, 30 October 2026, during the presentation of land documents to more than 900 beneficiaries in the district of Wanica.
The presentation took place at the district commissioner’s office on Tawajarieweg. Bouva spoke on behalf of President Jennifer Simons and stressed that land allocation must not be viewed separately from a broader housing policy. The government also wants to focus on affordable housing finance through the Landelijke Woningbouwprogramma (National Housing Construction Programme), making plots construction-ready, and installing utilities and infrastructure.
Land conversions to be evaluated
An important part of the announced policy is the evaluation of land conversions that took place between 2020 and 2025. Particular attention will be paid to transactions in which state land was transferred to companies and foundations without demonstrable social benefit.
In addition, the government wants to counter land speculation by linking land allocation more strictly to the actual use of plots.
According to Bouva, work is also under way to amend legislation in order to better protect the legal position of ground leaseholders. The government is aiming for a more modern legal framework, shorter processing times and more efficient handling of land applications.
“We want legal certainty for our citizens,” the minister said.
Backlog in land applications acknowledged
Acting Minister of Grondbeleid en Bosbeheer, Uraiqit Ramsaran, who was also present, acknowledged that many citizens have been waiting for years for their land application to be processed.
According to Ramsaran, digitisation and modernisation of the land administration must ensure that applications are handled more quickly and transparently.
“In this modern age, a citizen should not have to remain uncertain for years about the status of his file,” he stressed.
The minister stated that the issuance of land documents represents an important step for many citizens towards realising their future plans.
“Today, we are not merely issuing a declaration of intent or a land allocation decision, but the opportunity to give people’s dreams a place,” Ramsaran said.
He further stressed that every Surinamese must be given a fair opportunity to obtain a piece of land within the legal framework and with respect for natural resources.
With the announced measures, the government aims both to improve legal certainty for land applicants and to modernise the land administration. It was not announced when the legislative amendments and the evaluation of previous land conversions will be completed.
