President Jennifer Simons will not sign a resolution for the appointment of a new director at the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS) as long as the announced investigation within the organisation has not been carried out.
In her statement, the president addresses the tensions that have arisen in recent months between the director and the RvC. According to Simons, the matter was discussed several times at the Kabinet van de President (Office of the President), where attempts were made to find a solution.
The RvC repeatedly urged an investigation into the state of affairs within the organisation. According to the president, the director also consistently indicated that she had no objection to such an investigation. Nevertheless, the investigation has not yet been carried out.
Director’s term of office has expired
Simons stresses that Jap-A-Joe’s term of appointment has now expired. According to the president, the applicable resolution shows that the director was in office until October 20, 2026.
The head of state refers in this regard to the Wet Telecommunicatievoorzieningen (Telecommunications Facilities Act). According to her, it stipulates that the director is appointed, suspended or dismissed by the president on the recommendation of the responsible minister, following approval by the Raad van Ministers (Council of Ministers). An appointment applies for a period of five years.
According to Simons, the director’s employment contract must also be approved by the Raad van Ministers through the responsible minister.
The president states that the legal provisions are clear and that Jap-A-Joe’s term of appointment has ended.
RvC temporarily takes over management
Regarding the actions of the RvC, whose members went to the TAS office, Simons says that the law provides for a temporary management arrangement when both a director and deputy directors are absent.
In that case, according to the president, management is temporarily taken over by the supervisory board.
The head of state thus makes clear that, in her view, the RvC is acting on legal grounds. The president stresses that personal views on the matter do not change the applicable provisions.
President denies agreement on Jap-A-Joe remaining
Simons also denies reports that it had been decided in consultation with her that Jap-A-Joe could remain as director for the time being.
“Unfortunately, I have heard that there were people who said that it had been decided in consultation with the president that the current director could remain. Let it be clear that the current president has never said that,” Simons said.
According to the head of state, she cannot make such a decision independently, because she must adhere to legal procedures.
The president stresses that her discussions with the parties involved mainly concerned the investigation that the RvC has been urging for some time.
No appointment without investigation
Simons confirms that both the RvC and the responsible minister visited her to discuss the necessary investigation.
During these discussions, she made clear that she will not cooperate in appointing a new director before the investigation has taken place.
“I have therefore made it very clear that I will not sign a resolution for anyone as long as the investigation has not been carried out. That is the requirement I set for signing a resolution for a next director, whoever that may be,” the president stated.
According to Simons, the issue is not about individual persons, but about complying with laws and regulations and ensuring well-functioning institutions.
Summary proceedings must provide clarity
Meanwhile, according to the president, the RvC has initiated summary proceedings to bring about the transfer of leadership at TAS.
Simons says she is awaiting the court ruling and hopes it will bring an end to the administrative unrest.
“We can do nothing but wait for that, and let us hope that ruling comes quickly, so that matters can be normalised,” the head of state said.
The president expresses hope that the situation at the telecommunications authority will continue calmly and that the parties involved will respect the legal procedures.
