More than 6,000 conversion requests processed

Since the introduction of land conversion, the government has processed 6,636 requests. Of these, 3,654 are from individuals, while the remainder involve legal entities. These processed cases represent a value of over SRD 1 million.
Data shows that the highest number of requests came from the Wanica district, with 2,731 applications, followed by 2,426 in Paramaribo. This information was shared by Minister Dinotha Vorswijk of Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) during a government press conference, where ministers Henry Ori and Riad Nurmohamed were also present.
In Paramaribo, the neighborhoods of Rainville and Blauwgrond lead in conversion cases with 699 and 689 requests, respectively. In Latour, only eight requests have been processed. In Wanica, Koewarasan and Lelydorp top the list with 864 and 630 approved cases, respectively.
Vorswijk noted that the conversion process is proceeding very quickly. In most cases, applicants are informed that they can collect their approvals within two weeks. Besides updating on land conversion, the minister discussed the transformation of the Foundation for Forest Management and Forest Supervision (SBB) into an authority. This transformation will allow the institution to function more effectively and give it greater powers within the sector.
Currently, SBB, in collaboration with the Public Prosecution Service (OM), is working to combat illegal logging. Where illegal logging occurs, immediate sanctions are imposed. Debtors are also being contacted to fulfill their payment obligations. Those who ignore warnings risk losing their concession through license revocation.
According to Vorswijk, some concession holders have failed to meet their obligations for years. They are being contacted so that SBB can collect funds for the state treasury. The minister also mentioned receiving reports from citizens indicating that the land assigned to them has issues.
An investigation revealed that four government projects have had land seized. These areas include La Vigilantia, Altona, Richelieu, and Hanna’s Lust.