IDB wanted car that Parmessar bought back at LVV

The former minister of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries (LVV), Rabin Parmessar, on Thursday gave back the VW Amarok that he had bought for a small price. Parmessar explained that he had decided to return the car because of “all the unnecessary slander and false accusations.” He also explained that he was just exercising his rights. Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, however, gave another version of the story. He explained that the car had been provided to the Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and that it was intended for a specific project. The IDB strongly disapproved of the fact that the car had been sold. “The IDB had given a few vehicles to LVV for a project. The project has not been completed yet. It would be impossible to sell vehicles that are needed for the project,” said VP Brunswijk. The car and all of the papers have been handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries. Parmessar sent a letter to his successor, Prahlad Sewdien, to inform him that he is looking forward to a refund of the purchase price of SRD 20,000 and the insurance costs of SRD 939.94. He expects the money to be wired to his bank account within a reasonable period of time. There are more unanswered questions regarding government vehicles that have gone missing. The VP explained that the Ministry of Health is the only ministry where cars have not gone missing.

The new ministers have been provided with brand new Toyota Prados. According to the VP, these cars have not been purchased by the new government. These cars have reportedly been rented for an unspecified period by the National Security Directorate (DNV). “The president must still make a decision,” said VP Brunswijk regarding the government’s vehicle policy.