MPs ask questions

The government has signed a € 66 million financing agreement with the Israeli investment group, LR Group. The investments will be used to develop Suriname’s agrarian sector. Legislators are demanding answers because the financing agreement of SRD 528 million is in violation of the approved budget for the Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries (LVV). The government reportedly sent a resolution to parliament to inform the nation’s legislators of the latest developments.

“I would like the minister of Agriculture to explain why a contract for € 66 million or more than half a billion Surinamese dollars was signed even though the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries only covers SRD 266 million,” said MP Amzad Abdoel (NDP) on Thursday. Labor Minister Soewarto Moestadja pointed out that “Vice President Ashwin Adhin is the right person to answer that question because he was the person who reeled in the deal between Suriname and the LR Group.” “So I assume that the minister of Agriculture will leave it up to the VP to answer all questions,” said Minister Moestadja. VP Adhin did not attend Thursday’s session. Not all members of the coalition feel hesitant about the deal. MP Marcia Sumter (NDP) is in fact optimistic and wants to know when the plans will be carried out. “I would like to know about this,” said MP Sumter.