The village authorities and residents of Konomerume (Donderskamp) and Tapoeripa-Lana have expressed concern about work at the Arawara sluice. According to the communities, a contractor began work on Saturday, 31 October, without prior consultation with the traditional authorities.
The villages fear that closure of the sluice will have serious consequences for daily life, including the transport of schoolchildren, access to medical care and fishing.
After it became known that a contractor was carrying out work at the Arawara sluice, residents of Donderskamp and representatives of the traditional authorities of both villages went to the site. They confronted the contractor and demanded that the work be stopped immediately.
According to the village authorities, the work began without the communities concerned having been informed or consulted in advance. They believe that decisions directly affecting their living environment should not be taken without consultation with the traditional authorities.
Concerns about accessibility and livelihoods
The possible closure of the Arawara sluice is raising particular concerns about the accessibility of both villages. According to the communities, the water connection is of great importance for the transport of schoolchildren and for residents who need medical assistance.
Fishermen also use this route. A closure could therefore affect their work and income.
The village authorities stress that residents’ interests must be taken into account in decisions concerning the sluice.
Villages demand consultation with ministries
The traditional authorities are calling on the Ministry of Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij (LVV) and the Ministry of Openbare Werken to meet with them in the short term.
They want clarity about the work and the consequences of a possible closure. They also request that a joint solution be sought to ensure the accessibility and livelihoods of the communities.
The village authorities stress that they want to be informed fully and in a timely manner in future about work and government decisions affecting their living environment.
It is not yet clear what exactly prompted the work and whether the Arawara sluice will be closed permanently or temporarily. A response from the ministries concerned was not included in the villages’ statement.
Background: sluice important for rice cultivation
The Arawara sluice is located in the Boven-Nickerie/Wayambo area and was built in 1963 to channel water from the Boven-Nickerierivier towards the rice-growing areas of Nickerie.
In September 2023, Key News previously reported on repair work at the Arawara sluice. At the time, the sluice had been refurbished after about fifteen years of deferred maintenance to improve the water supply for rice cultivation.
The current protests make clear that the sluice’s water-management function must also be weighed against the interests of village residents who depend on the waterway connection.
