Krin Kondre enforcement team checks environmental violations in Paramaribo

The Krin Kondre enforcement team began field inspections at various locations in Paramaribo on Monday, September 28. The team is tasked with identifying environmental violations and informing citizens and entrepreneurs of their responsibility for a clean and safe living environment. Violations were identified during the first inspections, but those involved were first given a warning to rectify the situation, according to the Directorate of Public Greenery and Waste Management.

The first inspections took place along, among other locations, Kwattaweg, Tweede Rijweg and Johannes Mungrastraat. The team will return on Thursday, October 1, for a follow-up inspection. This will determine whether individuals and companies that received instructions during the first round have actually taken measures to remedy the identified situation.

According to acting director Anwar Moenne of Public Greenery and Waste Management, OGA, awareness is an important part of the approach at this stage. Citizens must, he says, be better informed about which rules apply and which violations inspectors look for. At the same time, the government wants to make clear that keeping neighbourhoods, premises and public spaces clean is not solely the task of government agencies.

Krin Kondre enforcement team inspects various locations

The Krin Kondre enforcement team consists of staff from various government services. From OGA, these include the environmental police and building police. The Environmental Inspection Division of the Bureau for Public Health, the Korps Politie Suriname, the Korps Brandweer Suriname, the Economic Control Service and the administrative service are also part of the joint operation.

With this composition, the government aims to be able to assess different types of violations during a single inspection. Moenne describes the organisations involved as agencies with an interest in a cleaner, safer and better organised living environment. According to him, the cooperation should prevent problems from being addressed separately when several services need to be involved in enforcement.

Warning first for identified environmental violations

During the inspections, the team identified a number of environmental violations, according to OGA. Details on the exact number of violations or the number of people notified have not been disclosed. Moenne says offenders received a warning first during this initial phase. This gives them the opportunity to clean their premises, business or immediate surroundings before further steps are considered.

The government also aims to raise awareness through the inspections of existing regulations on pollution and public order. According to Moenne, awareness must grow that legislation exists under which action can be taken against certain forms of environmental pollution. The enforcement team therefore intends to provide explanations through various communication channels about the matters considered during inspections. More information from the government can be found via the official Surinamese government website.

“We will continue until Suriname is clean.”

Clean environment also important for health and tourism

Moenne points out that environmental violations do not only affect the streetscape. According to him, a polluted environment can also pose risks to public health, safety and public order. Waste left lying around for long periods can also cause nuisance for residents and entrepreneurs in the area.

OGA also cites tourism as a reason to make a stronger commitment to a cleaner living environment. According to Moenne, a polluted streetscape can deter visitors. He states that Suriname wants to further develop tourism as a source of income, but that attention must also be paid to the appearance of residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and other public places.

Citizens must take personal responsibility

According to the acting OGA director, the government cannot carry out cleaning activities everywhere itself. This requires substantial financial and logistical resources. The government is already making resources available for, among other things, garbage trucks, he says, but residents can make an important difference by disposing of waste properly and keeping their own surroundings clean.

According to OGA, locations are available for waste to be properly delivered or dumped. Those who need assistance with this can contact the responsible services, according to Moenne. The message of the Krin Kondre enforcement team is that prevention ultimately requires less effort and money than continuously cleaning up illegally dumped waste.

Enforcement after awareness period

The inspections mean that, alongside cleaning activities, the Krin Kondre approach is increasingly acquiring an enforcement component. Citizens and entrepreneurs are not only addressed about pollution, but must also demonstrate after a warning that they have actually taken measures. Thursday’s follow-up inspection should provide an initial picture of the extent to which instructions are being followed.

According to OGA, the campaign must continue for a longer period. Moenne says the team will continue until a visible improvement has been achieved. Developments concerning waste management and the approach to environmental violations will continue to be followed through Key News. The upcoming inspections will have to show how the combination of awareness-raising, warnings and actual enforcement is applied in practice.