Machines from cassava factory stolen

The government is currently evaluating the cassava factory that was established in the Para District in 2012. Innovative Agro Processing Industries (IAP) NV never became operational despite the fact that many millions were invested. All of the machines that were inside the building have reportedly been stolen. The government reportedly wants to get the police involved in case it can’t get any information regarding the IAP and the destination of the machines. Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fisheries (LVV) Minister Parmanand Sewdien announced that he would visit the factory this week. The factory is currently abandoned. “We have been informed that many things were disassembled before being carried away and that the hall is in fact empty”, said Minister Sewdien. Next week the government will decide the future of the cassava factory. “We will decide whether we should continue down the same path or if we should opt for a different manner of processing.”

The IAP formally falls under the Finance Ministry. It is still unclear why the previous government decided to place the factory under the Finance Ministry. Former president Desire Bouterse has made it clear on various occasions that the IAP was a fiasco.