The Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) currently has no financial resources available to develop access to land already issued. As a result, planned infrastructure works are being postponed until 2027.
This was announced by Minister Stanley Soeropawiro on Wednesday, ahead of the Council of Ministers meeting. “GBB no longer has money in the budget to develop access to issued areas,” the minister stated. According to him, the work can only resume once the 2027 budget has been approved. “We will have to postpone this until the 2027 budget has been approved.”
Despite the financial constraints, the ministry is nevertheless trying, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO), to make certain areas accessible. Both ministries are assessing which works can be carried out within the available means.
Housing shortage and undeveloped plots
Soeropawiro acknowledges that the housing shortage in Suriname is significant. The government has therefore introduced a housing fund to financially support citizens in building their own homes. An important condition, however, is that applicants have a building-ready plot.
According to the minister, several plots were issued during the previous administration without the associated areas being provided with access infrastructure. As a result, citizens have land but cannot begin construction of their homes. According to him, this situation is causing frustration among the affected landowners.
Cooperation to clear backlogs
The minister stressed that GBB remains committed to assisting the affected citizens. By working together with OWRO, the ministry hopes to gradually clear the backlog in developing access to issued land.
“GBB does its part and OW does its part,” Soeropawiro said. According to him, this is how efforts are being made to clear the backlogs.
When the access-development works can resume on a larger scale still depends on approval of the 2027 budget.
