Happy Monday!

This week, we cover an increase in government funding for healthcare and social spending as the 2025 election nears.

The Minister of Finance & Planning has announced an increase of social spending to continue to raise social expenditures year on year.

• The Surinamese government is increasing social spending, with seniors, disabled persons, and students receiving higher allowances.

• These changes will cost SRD 168 million more per month, which will further increase the total social expenditures to SRD 5.453 billion in 2024.

• Minister Raghoebarsing emphasized that this expansion depends on securing government revenue from land leases, airspace fees, and electricity company (EBS) payments.

• Concerns remain, as these expenditures are not yet included in the national budget, and EBS is refusing to transfer the expected funds of SRD 250 million per month that have come from tariffs to the government.

However, the plan has received criticism from the teachers’ union, which has called it an election-focused measure.

• Jolanda Kerdijk of the teachers’ union Wi Sa Strey criticizes the Ministry of Education for prioritizing election-focused measures over real solutions.

• Many teachers have gone months without pay, while SRD 800 study allowances are given to students—something she calls an election stunt. She condemns this as negligence and a violation of labor rights.

• The ministry is also accused of ignoring independent experts and unions in its education policy discussions, creating a one-sided plan that overlooks real issues.

• Kerdijk urges immediate payment of salaries, a fair long-term strategy, and broader stakeholder involvement to ensure a realistic vision for Suriname’s education system.

Minister Ramadhin of the Ministry of Public Health has announced massive investment in the healthcare industry. 

• Minister Ramadhin announced US$ 60 million in healthcare investments for projects such as an ambulance boat, hospital renovations, new medical equipment, and new polyclinics.

• The funding comes from various sources, including treaty funds, loans, and grants. He emphasized that Suriname’s healthcare system was in crisis when the government took over in 2020.

• Many projects will be completed before the May 25 elections, while the new Ministry of Health building will be finished in September.

The government has announced US$10 million for a seawall to protect against flooding

• The Surinamese government will build a 4.5 km-long seawall in Weg naar Zee to protect against flooding, with US$10 million allocated for the project.

• Minister Nurmohamed assured residents that the dam would be completed within a year and that Dalian International would do the work.

• Drainage improvements have already begun, but residents were skeptical due to past unfulfilled promises.

• They raised concerns about compensation for lost land and livestock and the mangrove restoration project, which is now on hold but may resume after construction.

• While the government is reinforcing weaker areas, no clear compensation plan was provided. Residents were asked to cooperate in land protection efforts.

Suriname has emerged as one of the top hotspots for oil exploration around the world.

• Suriname is emerging as a major oil and gas hotspot, with Shell, TotalEnergies, and Chevron leading the exploration of its offshore reserves.

• The country has discovered 2.2 billion barrels of recoverable oil since 2020 and ranks second only to Namibia in recent global discoveries.

• Key drilling projects are planned between 2025 and 2027, targeting deepwater and shallow-water blocks.

• The GranMorgu Project will be Suriname’s first offshore oil development, producing 220,000 barrels per day from 2028 via an FPSO vessel. Industry interest in Suriname’s energy sector continues to grow, with more exploration expected in the coming years.