“This problem will be solved”

There is currently a complex situation surrounding the land dispute at the Anjer Housing Park (formerly known as Danny’s Villa Park) located along the Wolframstraat. Reports indicate that two groups claim to represent the people whose plots and homes are going to be auctioned by creditors of the dead real estate dealer. The minister of Environmental Planning, Land and Forest Management (RGB), Relyveld, therefore deems it necessary to meet with the residents of the private housing project himself so that he can gather information from them personally. The minister on Monday met with a delegation that represents the landowners. But at the same time another group went to the press, claiming to represent the landowners. Minister Relyveld pointed out that the statements from both groups regarding the core of the problem do not match up. He also pointed out that there are a few other disturbing internal things which he did not wish to discuss. This is why he deemed it necessary to speak to the homeowners. “This problem will be solved and we as ministry will do our best to make sure that this case has a good ending,” the minister told Times of Suriname. The ministry is making haste because the court has given the creditors permission to start auctioning the first batch of houses on November 22. Another verdict regarding another batch of houses scheduled to be announced in December. Reports indicate that the real estate dealer took out a few mortgages on the property that was initially known as Danny’s Villa Park despite the fact that he had already sold several plots to people. He had not given them the deeds yet which is why the plots were legally still his property. After his death nobody paid the mortgage which is why the new landowners are about to lose everything. Given the current state of affairs, the ‘victims’ do not have the law on their side. Minister Relyveld pointed out that it is not decent for people to lose their real estate in such a manner after they have invested so much in buying a plot and building a house. “That is why we want to help find a solution.”