President does not meet with social organizations

The social organizations that wanted to present a petition to President Desi Bouterse on Tuesday were not received by the head of state. Deputy Director Nikata Kromopawiro-Amatkarijo from Stichting In de Ruimte expressed her disapproval. She pointed out that it is impolite to cancel at the very last minute. The foundation reportedly wanted to inform the president of the high electricity prices problem. Kromopawiro-Amatkarijo explained that she had freed up her busy schedule just to go to the Office of the President. She pointed out that she and several residents from the foundation traveled all the way from the Santopolderweg in Wanica to Paramaribo. The executive explained that the foundation that offers shelter to people with a disability is finding it very difficult to make ends meet because of the high electric bill that must be paid every month. The foundation is also short on cash due to the fact that there has been a drop in the number of donors. The government also does not give the foundation its subsidy on time. The foundation reportedly needs SRD 18,000 every month to pay the workers and it also needs SRD 25,000 on a monthly basis to cover other expenses. Kromopawiro-Amatkarijo pointed out that she does not have much hope that the government will actually lend a helping hand. “This is not the first time that we have asked for a reasonable tariff. The foundation has often sent letters to the minister of Natural Resources. I do not have much hope.” Natasia Hanenberg-Agard, director at the Nationale Stichting voor Blinden en Slechtzienden in Suriname, pointed out that the Office of the President could not receive them due to other commitments. The petition will be handed over on another day.