Chairman of OBS: “We want to see money first before we can transport teachers to the interior; we also have debts”

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The chairman of the Organization of Bus and Boat Owners in Suriname (OBS), Antonius Pokie, insists that the vacation transporters must be paid first by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (minOWC). “We want to see our money first before we can transport the teachers, as we also have debts. We need to cover the costs incurred when we brought the teachers to Paramaribo, and to return them, we need fuel. If they don’t pay, we can’t refuel,” Pokie stated in an interview with Suriname suriname.
The teachers cannot leave without making new purchases. “They must make new purchases before they can depart for the interior. What they had bought to take with them has been used. If the transporters are paid this week, the teachers should also receive their payment this week. If we get paid on Friday, they can be transported over the weekend,” Pokie added.
Pokie believes it is pointless to discuss the payment issue with the minOWC now. The documents have been with the payment service since October 4, and so far, no approval has been given for payment. “We have nothing to discuss. We are waiting until they are ready to make the payments,” Pokie remarked.
What also surprises Pokie is that representatives from the interior are saying nothing about the situation, despite the presence of assembly members from the interior and social organizations in the government. “Suriname has remained quiet; no one notices anything. Everything continues as if nothing is wrong. I am merely the voice crying in the wilderness. A few are drowning. No classes have been held in the new school year. I hope the payment happens this week, but people should forget about teaching in October. We cannot compromise because we borrowed money to transport people to Paramaribo, and that needs to be repaid,” Pokie emphasized.
“We need to receive that money to buy fuel. The ministry must pay; we are still looking for the payment today. The ministry has a duty, and they must fulfill it,” Pokie stated.