OBBS guarantees school transport on Monday despite outstanding payments

The organisation had previously announced that school transport from Monday might not be guaranteed due to persistent payment arrears. According to OBBS chairman Wayne Telgt, intensive discussions with various government bodies in recent days have, however, led to greater certainty about the availability of the financial resources.

According to the organisation, the funds are now available in accounts at the Surinaamse Postspaarbank (SPSB, Surinamese Postal Savings Bank). Further processing and transfers to other banks are expected to take place only on Monday. As a result, many bus and boat owners will not yet have received their money at the start of operations.

Nevertheless, the transport operators have decided to continue their services. In doing so, the OBBS wants to prevent students from becoming victims of the financial problems.

Payment arrears put transport operators under pressure

The financial problems facing school transport operators have been ongoing for several months. According to the OBBS, members did not receive a full monthly payment for August due to the start of the school holidays. Payments for holiday days also did not materialise in September, while transport operators say they carried out work and preparations for the new school year.

The situation worsened in October, when bus and boat owners provided their services throughout the entire month without being paid.

On October 27, the OBBS brought the payment problems to the attention of the responsible authorities in writing. In doing so, the organisation warned of the possible consequences for the continuity of school transport. According to the board, there was no response to that letter.

Because the financial reserves of many members had been virtually exhausted and there was no concrete prospect of payment, the organisation subsequently announced that transport might not be able to continue from November 16.

Consultations with government offer prospects

In recent days, the OBBS board has held consultations with various involved bodies, including the ministerie van Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture), the ministerie van Financiën en Planning (Ministry of Finance and Planning), and the Centrale Bank van Suriname (Central Bank of Suriname).

According to the organisation, these efforts have led to greater clarity regarding the payments. Although the money has not yet been credited to the accounts of all transport operators, confidence has been sufficiently restored to guarantee school transport on Monday.

The OBBS stresses that its members are once again taking responsibility not to disrupt the education process.

OBBS wants an end to recurring payment problems

Although the organisation is satisfied with recent developments, it believes that the government must take structural measures to prevent a recurrence.

According to the OBBS, it should not become standard practice for the board to personally pursue the funds with every payment delay, approach ministers, or contact the governor of the Centrale Bank in order to expedite payments.

The organisation therefore wants to sit down with the government in the short term to make arrangements on fixed payment deadlines, the timely availability of financial resources, and transparent payment procedures. It also advocates for a structural consultation mechanism between the government and representatives of the transport operators.

The OBBS stresses that reliable school transport is of great importance to thousands of students who depend daily on buses and boats to reach their schools.

According to the board, the aim is not confrontation with the government, but sustainable solutions that also safeguard the financial security of the transport operators.

For parents, students and schools, the decision means that school transport will continue on Monday, November 16, according to the existing arrangements, routes and departure times.