👑 Vice President crowns himself king in a democracy

and government leaders award themselves with 50% raise

De Brief
July 10, 2023

Brunswijk crowned king of Afro-Surinamese

Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, also the ABOP chairman, will be crowned "King of Afro Suriname Heritage" with the official title "His Royal Majesty of Afro Suriname."
The coronation ceremony will take place in Moengo Tapoe and is conducted by a committee of the Afrikan Royal Kingdoms, dedicated to preserving African cultures and traditions worldwide.
The organization recognizes Brunswijk's qualities, values, and ability to lead people to prosperity, as well as his compassion and integrity towards citizens from different groups.
The organization considers it an honor and privilege to announce Brunswijk as the chosen King of Afro-Surinamese Heritage.
The confirmation of the coronation comes from the spokesperson for the vice president/ABOP, Humphrey Dundas, who confirms the event's occurrence on Saturday.

Government gives itself 50% purchasing power boost

The government has approved a 50% purchasing power provision for the president, vice president, and ministers, whose allowances have not been adjusted since 1994.
The increase applies to ministers for up to six months after taking office, and to the president and vice president for one year.
Judges will also receive substantial increases, and allowances for department directors, deputy directors, and State Councilors will be raised.
The State Council has approved the increases, with only members of the NDP opposing them in a minority position.
The salary increases for the judiciary still need to be discussed in the National Assembly.
Civil servants received increases of SRD 2,500 in purchasing power per month, while pensioners from government service received SRD 1,800 per month for this year.

This was not met with approval from the general public

The CLO group led by Michael Miskin is demanding that the government implements a 50% wage increase, along with agreed allowances, and immediate implementation of civil servants' documents.
The CLO warns that if the government does not comply with their demands, they will use union means to ensure their demands are met, and the consequences will be attributed to the government.
The Federation of Organizations of Teachers in Suriname (FOLS) finds the 50% increase in purchasing power awarded to the government rude, considering the negotiations for civil servants/teachers' purchasing power.
The government claimed there was little budget during negotiations, leading to the rejection of a one-off payment proposal of SRD 10,000.
The decision by the government to increase its purchasing power comes after a successful review of the recovery program by the IMF, which raises doubts about the temporary nature of the provision.
The government proposed phasing out subsidies to save money, but the FOLS finds it unbearable that the government reduces subsidies while granting itself a 50% increase in purchasing power.

Questions regarding cost estimate for Corantijn river bridge

A Trinidad-based consultancy, WSP Caribbean, estimates that the construction cost of the Corantijn Bridge could be as high as $611 million.
The consultancy's lack of expertise in developing a balanced methodology for cost and quality optimization is criticized.
The choice of tendering form and procedure recommended by an advisory report seems to have been ignored.
The article questions whether the focus should be on a solid and cost-effective cross-river connection or an expensive monument.
The high cost of the bridge is contrasted with the country's pressing social and economic needs, such as hunger, healthcare, and homelessness.
The estimated cost of the bridge is significantly higher than the previous bridges in Suriname, raising concerns about the justification and affordability of the project.