PARAMARIBO – “The dam and the auxiliary dam that are located at the pilgrimage resort at Weg naar Zee were fortified several weeks ago but this did not keep the water from the sea from flowing in and flooding the resort during spring tide last Sunday. Other areas that are located in the vicinity are also flooded,” Ramon Bajnath, chairman of  Stichting Bedevaartsoord Weg naar Zee, told Times of Suriname.

“Our president is more in the air than on the ground and while the rest of the government is sleeping, Suriname  is in danger,” said Bajnath. The situation has gotten worse but the government has not lifted a finger. The entire Brantimakka region is also flooded so if the problem is not addressed soon the entire Weg naar Zee will remain flooded within the next 10 years. The northern part of Paramaribo is also at risk. “Entrepreneurs from the area could come up with a solution,” said

Bajnath added that action is needed before it is too late in order to protect the entire coastal region. Bajnath had raised the dam with 25 centimetres but the water still managed to get in because of the high waves. But now he no longer has the funds or the tools to fortify and raise the dam. “Senior citizens and poor families live here. If this keeps up, they will have to move. The homes of the people who live in the Oedayrajsingh Varmaweg, the road that leads to the cremation area, will also be flooded in the next two years. The fields of the farmers will also be flooded and this will have a negative impact on production and exports,” said Bajnath who recommended building a longer dam to protect the area and Paramaribo as well. So far the Ministry of Public Works has not taken any action. “A solution is needed now because this can’t go on. I am really angry because no minister or other government official has come by to assess the situation,” said Bajnath.