Bridge closure and traffic issues lead to policy review

The Ministry of Justice and Police (Juspol) has announced plans for a review of traffic policy, focusing on traffic situations in areas such as the Latour district and issues surrounding the closure of the bridge over the Saramacca Canal. Minister Kenneth Amoksi emphasized that the dismantling of the Latour Traffic Unit is being reconsidered, with the government aiming to address the traffic challenges that this closure has caused.
Prior to the weekly Council of Ministers (RvM) meeting, the minister confirmed the need for a more efficient approach to traffic management. “Discussions with the police leadership and plans to address the traffic situation have been positive,” said Amoksi.
The scheduled completion of the bridge in January necessitates timely measures to improve traffic flow, which will help reduce the daily frustration of road users. Another key priority for Juspol is the digitization of reporting processes.
Starting in November, citizens will be able to file reports online, significantly improving the accessibility of the law enforcement system. The minister expects this development not only to reduce the workload for police officers but also to strengthen public trust in law enforcement through faster and more efficient service delivery.
Additionally, a pilot project for a new system related to driver’s licenses will be launched in the Wanica and Paramaribo districts, with a view to a nationwide rollout after evaluation. The ministry is working closely with the Central Civil Registry (CBB) and the Traffic Unit to improve data transfer, thereby addressing the long wait times for driver’s licenses. Amoksi acknowledged that there is currently much chaos in the process of picking up driver’s licenses and emphasized the importance of a well-organized process and good collaboration between the services involved.
By focusing on both traffic enforcement and digitization, Juspol aims to optimize service delivery and increase citizen satisfaction. With these measures, the ministry is taking a step towards modernization, making traffic and law enforcement in Suriname more efficient and customer-oriented.