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Government

Jennifer Simons

Jennifer Simons is President in the Simons–Rusland administration.

NDP

Political background

  • Jennifer Simons represents NDP.
Political background source

In the news

  • Gold Board plans add independent governance and gold-reserve proposals
    Summary
    • Simons outlined a central Gold Board for gold sales and exports on 9 November.
    • GFC reports plans for independent expert directors without party representatives; Suriname Herald adds proposed miner registration and the possibility of adding purchased gold to central-bank reserves.
    • The legislative timetable remains inconsistent: De Ware Tijd says next year, while United News and GFC say around two months.
    • The reports do not show a submitted or enacted bill.
    • Chemical descriptions also differ: De Ware Tijd calls it Jin Han and reports stopped imports; United News calls it Jin Shang and describes a permit freeze; Suriname Herald says Jin Chan and stopped imports.
    • The reported mercury transition is six to seven years.
  • Security plan adds Safe City expansion and coordinated police–army operations
    Summary
    • Simons announced military support for police on 9 November, a renewed joint post near Fort Zeelandia and a proposed US satellite-imagery arrangement that still needs parliamentary consideration.
    • Follow-up ABC reporting says police and fire services received additional vehicles.
    • Police described drone and camera use, targeted checks and a Joint Operations Center.
    • SUN quotes Rishi Akkal stressing that operations already run throughout the year; the announcement concerns stronger deployment, not the start of policing.
    • Simons says Safe City repairs and expansion have been approved, with expanded capability expected during 2027.
    • De Ware Tijd, SUN and GFC describe foreign borrowing as a possible supplement to domestic revenue; United News uses firmer language about obtaining credit.
    • No signed financing agreement or amount is supplied.
    • Separately, Wanica Centrum announced stronger patrols in Lelydorp and De Nieuwe Grond over the coming months after talks between district commissioner Ravi Bhattoe and regional police commander Eric Macrooy.
    • The reports give no deployment totals or results.
  • VHP lawmakers request parliamentary questioning on public safety
    Summary
    • Six VHP lawmakers submitted a proposal dated 8 November to question President Jennifer Simons in the National Assembly about serious robberies, police resources and the effectiveness of government measures.
    • De Ware Tijd and SUN report the submission.
    • A date for the requested questioning has yet to be verified.
  • Simons outlines contract farming and land access plans
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said on 7 November that the government wants local farmers to take part in supply chains backed by new agricultural investment.
    • She described plans for agricultural land contracts that would return land to the state when farming ceases, and said the government was working to recruit enough specialists for the pesticide laboratory to operate fully in 2027.
  • Simons outlines application tracking and digital services to curb corruption
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said on 7 November that the government wants more transparent procedures and greater use of digital public services to curb corruption.
    • She cited the National Housing Fund as an example, saying applicants should be able to track their applications and that the fund should handle them in the order received.
  • Simons flags connectivity and production before Suriname’s CARICOM chair term
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said Suriname would take the chair of the Caribbean Community for six months from January 2027.
    • Speaking on 7 November, she identified connectivity, regional production and technology as challenges and said member states should retain room to take their own positions on international affairs.
  • Suriname keeps fuel subsidies in place for now
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said on 7 November that the government would keep fuel subsidies in the short term to cushion households against price increases.
    • She said diesel subsidy removal could raise the cost of supporting public and school transport, where the government still faces gaps in GPS monitoring.
    • She gave no date for phasing out the subsidies.
  • Simons targets late 2027 for oil revenue fund bill
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said on 7 November that the government aims to put changes to the Savings and Stabilisation Fund law before the National Assembly in the second half of 2027.
    • She outlined three pillars for managing oil proceeds: the existing savings and stabilisation fund, an investment fund and a social fund.
    • The timetable is a government target for submitting legislation.
  • Simons calls for parliamentary approval of US aircraft information agreement
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons said on 7 November that she was in talks with the National Assembly about an agreement with the United States that would give Suriname access to information about aircraft entering its interior.
    • The president said parliamentary approval was still required.
  • Suriname launches first phase of a 160-kilometre paving programme
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons launched the first phase of the road paving programme on Franklynweg in Latour on 6 November, STVS reports.
    • The phase covers 160 kilometres of unpaved roads in Paramaribo, Wanica and Commewijne and includes drainage work where needed.
    • Public Works Minister Stephen Tsang estimated that paving all 2,500 kilometres of remaining unpaved roads nationwide would cost US$2.5 billion.
  • Simons reviews TAS documents before deciding Monorath’s position
    Summary
    • Transport Minister Raymond Landveld told Parliament on 5 November that TAS’s supervisory board would commission government-audit, quick-scan and forensic-accounting work.
    • Reports of a board criminal complaint against former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe and former chair Harish Monorath remain allegations and planned investigations, not findings of liability.
    • After an initial suspension over access arrangements, ABC reported on 7 November that board chair Emanuel Scheek said TAS and CLAD had agreed to resume the special investigation, with document access coordinated through the board.
    • Suriname Herald reported that Simons met Monorath on 10 November without immediately deciding his position.
    • In a subsequent account attributed to Ronnie Brunswijk, she would examine additional documents before a decision, while Monorath remained minister for the time being.
    • The documents and any claim that they clear him have not been independently verified.
  • Simons announces temporary Jin Chan import stop and gold-sector controls
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons announced a temporary Jin Chan import stop, registration of artisanal miners and stronger environmental controls in a CDS interview.
    • United News reports a policy group and planned NMA inspections.
    • In a separate 5 November De Ware Tijd report, anonymous business sources described uncertainty over existing stocks and outstanding orders, while some supported using the pause to regulate the sector.
    • No binding import instrument, duration, enforcement results or independently verified losses were supplied.
  • Religious councils seek state funding and tax relief for historic buildings
    Summary
    • The Committee of Christian Churches and the Interreligious Council have renewed requests to President Jennifer Simons for help maintaining historic buildings and places of worship, Starnieuws reported on 5 November.
    • Their proposals include a budget allocation, access to rehabilitation finance, VAT relief for restoration, a zero rate for fire insurance and a heritage-management institution with private-owner representation.
    • They also seek consultation on revised monuments legislation and a meeting with the president.
    • The report describes requests by building owners; it does not announce funding approval, tax changes or a government response.
  • Suriname discusses aviation oversight recovery with ICAO
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons met ICAO representatives and Surinamese aviation authorities on 3 November, ABC reports.
    • CASAS director Anjulio Wolf said a recovery plan and preventive measures had been submitted and a preliminary report received.
    • He described cooperation with EASA to improve oversight.
    • The meeting concerned corrective work towards removal from the EU Air Safety List; it did not announce removal or restored operating rights.
  • Simons outlines social-support reform aimed at reducing long-term dependence
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons told Suriname Herald that planned national social legislation should combine financial support with education, employment assistance, childcare and guidance tailored to household circumstances.
    • She cited Brazil’s Bolsa Família and said the reform should take further shape in 2027.
    • These are policy intentions described in an interview published on 2 November; the report does not establish submission of a bill, approved funding or implementation.
  • Solar roundtable hears warning of a possible 120–140 MW shortfall by 2030
    Summary
    • Following the previously announced 30 October solar roundtable, STVS reports presidential chief of staff Sergio Akiemboto warning that an electricity-capacity shortfall could reach 120–140 MW by 2030 without investment.
    • He advocated a mix of solar, storage, hydro, thermal generation, gas and grid modernisation.
    • President Jennifer Simons supported solar development, including household generation.
    • This is an attributed conditional forecast, not a measured current deficit; the account does not establish financing, new installed capacity or adoption of the previously proposed task force and roadmap.
  • Gold-sector working group presents phased registration and mercury-reduction plan
    Summary
    • A working group presented President Jennifer Simons with a plan on 29 October to organise artisanal gold mining, ABC reports.
    • Deputy policy-team chair Bob Mangal describes phased pilots and registration of rights holders, equipment owners and people currently operating illegally, with work and residence permits and access to health care among the proposed arrangements.
    • The National Environmental Authority would support training and alternative extraction methods to reduce mercury use.
    • The proposed 2026–2028 phase includes organisational and legal preparation.
    • These are the working group’s proposals and claimed benefits; the article does not establish enacted rules, completed registration or additional state revenue.
  • Blom sworn in as notarial disciplinary board completes its membership
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons swore in notary Guntur Humphrey Blom on 28 October, completing the Notarial Disciplinary Board.
    • ABC and De Ware Tijd report that the other members had taken their oaths on 12 June, when Blom was abroad.
    • Blom said the board would assess complaints and apply statutory sanctions where warranted, while developing clearer professional guidance on client due diligence, communication and treatment.
    • His concern that trust in notaries has declined is his assessment.
    • De Ware Tijd says the current composition serves until 1 June 2029.
  • New election bureau sworn in under Anne-Marel Linger; three members still await ceremony
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons swore in 17 of the 20 members and alternates of the new Independent Electoral Bureau on 28 October, De Ware Tijd reports.
    • Chair Anne-Marel Linger and deputy Aroon Samjhawan took office; three people absent abroad are to be sworn in later.
    • ABC confirms Linger succeeds Samseerali Sheikh-Alibaks and had been nominated by the NDP.
    • The president stressed independence from political pressure, and Linger said members should work as one team regardless of nomination or party background.
    • The bureau supervises election legality and formally determines results.
  • Minister links AI summit agenda to public-service reform and anti-corruption
    Summary
    • At the first Suriname AI Summit in Torarica, Economy Minister Andrew Baasaron spoke on behalf of President Jennifer Simons about using digitalisation to improve productivity and public services and make irregularities easier to detect.
    • United News reports his emphasis on domestic skills, infrastructure and small-business innovation.
    • He referred to UNESCO readiness-assessment work and planned ICT centres in the districts.
    • These are policy aims and announced preparations; the article provides no procurement, implementation timetable or measured anti-corruption results.
  • Surinamese and German parliamentarians discuss visas, infrastructure and forest protection
    Summary
    • DNA chair Ashwin Adhin and parliamentary faction leaders met a Bundestag delegation led by Gregor Gysi on 26 October.
    • DNA reports discussions on visas, knowledge exchange, infrastructure, forest protection and sustainable tourism.
    • The German delegation also raised ratification of the Suriname–France protocol in connection with border protection.
    • The visit explored cooperation; the account does not announce a signed funding agreement or a ratification vote.
    • In a separate meeting with President Jennifer Simons on 27 October, delegation leader Gregor Gysi advocated a German diplomatic post specifically responsible for Suriname and Guyana, Key News reports.
    • He also favoured simpler visa procedures and wider access to multiple-entry visas.
    • Trade, climate cooperation, energy and illegal gold mining were discussed.
    • These are delegation proposals, not a German decision to open an embassy or a new visa entitlement.
  • President receives Education Vision 2035 and orders implementation of the action plan
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons received Education Vision 2035 and the 2026–2031 Education Action Plan on 21 October, then instructed Education Minister Dirk Currie to begin implementation.
    • ABC reports three pillars: conditions for stable education, including legislation and infrastructure; learning content and skills; and inclusion.
    • Currie said implementation would be phased.
    • IDB and UNICEF representatives attended the handover, but the article does not announce new financing commitments.
  • Simons asks SBF and ministries to agree an execution agenda for business reforms
    Summary
    • At the launch of the Suriname Business Forum’s anniversary year on 21 October, President Jennifer Simons called for an implementation agenda within several months.
    • Suriname Herald reports priorities including faster permits, better access to finance and stronger links between local suppliers and large buyers.
    • Simons said work was under way on investment legislation, special economic zones and simpler digital procedures.
    • Parliament’s chair asked SBF to identify business obstacles that could require legislative changes.
    • The agenda and reforms were proposed, not reported as completed.
  • Digicel outlines fibre expansion and investment plans to the president
    Summary
    • Digicel representatives met President Jennifer Simons on 20 October to discuss continued network investment and further fibre expansion.
    • Key News reports the company’s claim that fibre now permits household speeds of 400–600 Mbps, compared with earlier speeds of 20–30 Mbps.
    • Management linked investment opportunities to offshore oil and gas development and discussed closer cooperation with government.
    • The article gives no investment budget, rollout geography or completion timetable.
  • AZP launches year-long acute-care course for 175 nurses
    Summary
    • The Academic Hospital Paramaribo launched a year-long Basic Acute Care course for 175 nurses on 19 October, Starnieuws reports.
    • The programme involves more than €600,000 under the government's Health Care Facilities Readiness Initiative.
    • Delivered by the Dutch ExpertCollege-Nightingale Institute, it combines practical and theoretical training in resuscitation, breathing difficulties, bleeding and early recognition of deteriorating patients.
    • At the launch, President Jennifer Simons said she had discussed nurse recruitment with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and wanted the Netherlands to contribute to training in Suriname.
    • She proposed that some nurses could work temporarily in the Netherlands and return with experience.
    • The report explicitly says no final agreement on that proposal has been reached.
  • Simons asks banks for a financing agenda tied to productive sectors
    Summary
    • At the first Suriname Banking and Finance Summit on 17 October, President Jennifer Simons called for banks, the Finance Ministry, central bank and development institutions to agree a financing agenda with clear responsibilities and measurable results.
    • ABC reports that she asked banks to strengthen financial integrity, expand lending to productive businesses and improve access to financial services.
    • She linked correspondent banking relationships to action on anti-money-laundering weaknesses ahead of a 2027 FATF assessment.
    • Simons also outlined fiscal-management and tax-administration priorities and said the government aimed to complete modern investment legislation in 2027.
  • Government says it intends to bring a local-content bill to parliament in 2027
    Summary
    • Starnieuws reports that the government intends to submit a local-content bill to parliament in 2027, before expected offshore production in 2028.
    • The Local Content Board has prepared a preliminary draft that still requires stakeholder validation and further development; it will also advise on a possible Local Content Authority.
    • President Jennifer Simons emphasised participation by Surinamese workers and firms and transfer of knowledge and technology.
    • The report establishes an announced legislative programme, not a submitted or enacted law.
  • Suriname submits 2027 draft budget projecting an SRD 10.8 billion deficit
    Summary
    • De Ware Tijd reports that President Jennifer Simons submitted the 2027 draft budget to parliament on 30 September, projecting SRD 80.9 billion in expenditure, SRD 70.1 billion in revenue and an SRD 10.8 billion deficit.
    • The government’s account of the annual address stresses stronger tax collection, debt management and preparation for offshore oil revenues.
    • These are proposed budget figures and policy intentions; the opened reports do not establish parliamentary approval or actual expenditure.
  • President Simons was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on 22 September
    Summary
    • The government announced that President Jennifer Simons would address the UN General Assembly on 22 September.
    • Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva described a programme covering multilateral cooperation, climate policy, bilateral meetings and discussions with investors.
    • This report describes the planned visit, not the delivered speech or concluded agreements.
  • President Simons leaves for the UN General Assembly with bilateral meetings on her stated agenda
    Summary
    • The government reported that President Jennifer Simons left for New York on 20 September to attend the UN General Assembly.
    • Her planned agenda covered international law, peaceful dispute resolution, climate, a discussion with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten about departing Surinamese workers, and talks with the IDB about artificial intelligence.
    • De Ware Tijd carried a closely matching account.
    • These reports describe departure and intentions, not completed bilateral agreements.
  • Suriname announced an inventory to expand domestic environmental and health testing capacity.
    Summary
    • The government and Starnieuws reported a 16 September meeting at which President Jennifer Simons asked laboratories to identify existing equipment, expertise and expansion needs for environmental and health testing.
    • The Saramacca River investigation had required some overseas analyses.
    • Participating bodies included BOG, the veterinary laboratory, VKI, MWI and AdeKUS.
    • The intended inventory covers cyanide and mercury testing and air quality; Simons expressed the hope that essential tests could be conducted domestically by the end of 2027.
    • NMA would separately inventory gold-mining activity.
    • These are announced capacity-building intentions, not completed upgrades.
  • Suriname confirms Venezuela's President Rodríguez will visit; no agreement texts have been published
    Summary
    • The Suriname government announced Delcy Rodríguez's 11 September visit at President Jennifer Simons's invitation, with agriculture, fisheries, energy, connectivity and education on the agenda.
    • Starnieuws reported that the agreements envisaged for signing remained unspecified.
    • Separately, Suriname Herald quoted Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva on the possibility of evaluating PetroCaribe, without a decision to resume it.
    • The reports document an announced programme and exploratory discussions, not concluded agreement terms or implementation.
  • President seeks EBS and SWM contingency planning for anticipated El Niño effects
    Summary
    • De Ware Tijd reports that President Jennifer Simons met EBS and SWM representatives about possible El Niño impacts on electricity and drinking-water supply.
    • Citing the government communications service, it says both utilities had crisis plans and were considering additional measures.
    • The article does not specify those measures, activation dates or household impacts.
    • This documents preparedness discussions, not a confirmed service interruption or quantified forecast.
  • Government outlines response after reported Saramacca River contamination findings
    Summary
    • After meeting communities in Pikin Saron, President Jennifer Simons proposed a joint group to assess the effects of Saramacca River pollution and coordinate support.
    • Starnieuws reports that the NMA presented findings of chemicals, heavy metals and cyanide, and that residents were advised against using river water, eating affected fish or swimming.
    • Agriculture officials were to help develop alternative food and income sources, including poultry and fish farming.
    • These were proposed support measures; the report provides no delivery totals or compensation schedule.
  • Government announces Grassalco liability step and proposed tighter gold-sector controls
    Summary
    • President Jennifer Simons told Parliament that investigations found chemical contamination and affected fish in the Saramacca River.
    • The government attributed responsibility to activity within a Grassalco concession and said Grassalco would be asked to contribute to support and compensation.
    • The early Starnieuws report describes a liability letter still to be sent; the government’s later account says it had been received.
    • Proposed wider measures included concession transparency, inspections, laboratory capacity and cleaner mining methods.
    • These statements are not a court judgment or proof that compensation and the proposed controls were implemented.

President

The President’s Cabinet supports the presidency.

  • The President is head of State and government and chairs the State Council.
  • Constitutional responsibilities include directing foreign policy, appointing and dismissing ministers, and ratifying approved legislation.
  • Presidential and executive support
  • Central policy coordination and monitoring
  • Administrative and general affairs
  • E-government
  • National-security coordination
  • Presidential communication
Ministry profile
SourcesOfficial officeholder page

Office listing: Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Political background relates to the 2025 election and cabinet formation.