draining canals in Paramaribo

During my first visit to Suriname I got acquainted with the people with whom I was going to work and learnt to know the cultural traditions and manner working in Suriname. During the visits with people from the Ministry of Public Works, to discuss a number of reports on the situation in Suriname, I gained a fair understanding of the technical problems in a canal in Paramaribo called the “Sommelsdijckskreek”. The Sommelsdijckskreek is a drainage canal, which does not work properly and has a very poor water quality. Remarkably there was a lot of information for me to study. Even specifications for implementation of civil works for improvement of the drainage situation were available! Nevertheless hardly any action had been carried out to improve the situation.

 

To prevent our future support efforts from failing we must try to investigate the reason for the lack of action in the past. We will make a plan for short term solutions (to reduce acute problems) and long term solutions (to solve problems in a sustainable manner). An essential component for success is the implementation of environment legislation in Suriname. The environmental legislation has been long pending for approval by the current Council of Ministers. World Waternet plans to exercise political pressure to improve the situation.

In the coming period World Waternet will compile an action plan and gain commitment from decision makers in Suriname for this plan.

Rob Ververs