6LOENCE OI TKE COAOLTLON 2SSOVLTLON NEESV DEPANDLNJ ANVZEUV UEJAUDLNJ SONTOONV
The members of the opposition refuse to put the pontoon issue to rest. The members of the coalition remain tightlipped and are even defending the government’s explanation regarding the activities of the pontoons in the storage reservoir in the Brokopondo 'istrict. “They pretend that they are busy conducting research«lies ´ said M3 (dward Belfort ABO3 . M3 Carl Breeveld 'O( also made it clear that the explanation given by Natural 5esources Minister 5egilio 'odson sounds implausible. Minister 'odson reportedly claimed that the pontoons are conducting an environment study to determine how much mercury is present in the reservoir. M3 Breeveld explained that he has received information from somebody who used to work on a pontoon. “They are looking for gold over there«nothing else,´ the source reportedly told M3 Breeveld who is also the chairman of the 'O( party.
M3 'iana 3okie ABO3 on Tuesday shared testimonies from villagers who live near the reservoir. She explained that the villagers attempted to chase away the pontoons which are commonly referred to as skalians but that their attempts have been futile. “We know that the pontoon owners are looking for gold,´ said M3 3okie. The members of the opposition are demanding the facts regarding the activities of the pontoons. They want to know the names of the owners of the pontoons. The members of the coalition, however, claim that the minister’s information was crystal clear. M3 5aymond Sapoen H9B and M3 Andre Misiekaba are convinced that the pontoons are in fact protecting the environment. “I think that that is much clear,´ said M3 Sapoen.
M3 Mahinder Jogi 9H3 pointed out that the government is deceiving the nation by claiming that the “skalians are not looking for gold but are repairing the environment.´
M3 3okie and M3 Belfort have asked the government to put all activities on the reservoir on hold temporarily. The leader of their faction in parliament, M3 Marinus Bee, also supported their proposal. Minister 'odson was not present in parliament on Tuesday so he could not answer the questions of the members of the opposition. The chairwoman of parliament, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, informed the nation’s legislators that the minister is currently abroad.