There have been questionable land grants on and around the old ferry terminal in Meerzorg. These grants included portions of the Suriname River. Minister Stanley Soeropawiro of Land Policy and Forest Management announced this on Tuesday in Parliament during the budget debate.
Theminister said that, in response to concerns raised by the public and questions from Parliament, the ministry has launched an investigation into the legality of the land allocations and the subsequent conversions of those plots to private ownership. “This matter has the ministry’s special attention.” He reported that a preliminary analysis of the files has revealed that legal and policy issues arise in several areas, which require further investigation.
Furthermore, an initial analysis of the files and survey maps has shown that the parcels in question are located on the right bank of the Suriname River near the ferry landing at Meerzorg, forming part of the foreshore. In addition, the accompanying survey maps show parcel boundaries that extend to or even within the waterline of the Suriname River. “This raises a fundamental legal question.”
Soeropawiro was surprised that a foreshore or part of a river—which serves a public function—had been granted. A river fulfills a public function for the purposes of navigation, water management, and general use. If it turns out that parts of the Suriname River or the riverbed have been allocated, the investigation will have to determine whether this allocation was carried out in accordance with the rules and procedures. “It is also very striking that the allocation and the conversion of the land to private ownership took place in a very short period of time.”
The minister said that a comprehensive legal and surveying investigation has been launched to examine the legality of these land grants. The ministry will take appropriate measures following the investigation.
