They had to find other ways to get to the other side of the river which also meant that they had to dig deep into their wallets. Tourists who crossed the river with their rental bicycles were left stranded in Paramaribo. A woman told Times of Suriname that she had to leave her home earlier to take the bus to Paramaribo where she took another bus in order to reach her workplace.

Ann Sadi, chairperson of the Association of Boat Owners in the Commewijne District (VBDC), explained that the lightning strike was triggered by the six year delay in the payment of the price compensation. She also pointed out that the private boat owners have not received the state subsidy. “Transporting people from point A to point B is the government’s responsibility but these private boat owners have been busy for many generations,” said Sadi who added that the private bus owners feel neglected because the boat owners who render their services to the National Transportation Company (NVB) and the private bus owners receive the compensation. Sadi who is also a legislator explained that she protects the interests of the people as well as those of the boat owners. Sadi pointed out that a price hike would be a heavy burden on the shoulders of the people. “The situation in the sector has worsened in the past couple of years. There used to be about forty boats at Meerzorg but now only sixteen are left. The boat owners talked to representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT) last Thursday and were told to bring their papers and bank accounts to the ministry. The representatives also asked the boat owners to give them a week to process everything. But the boat owners are not only faced with financial problems because the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) has stricter rules now. It is currently mandatory to have insurance, permits and high safety standards. Sadi emphasized that she is in favor of high safety standards but explained that it is difficult for small entrepreneurs to meet all of the requirements especially when it concerns the transferrence of permits within families. “The issue has been presented to the MAS”, said Sadi who added that the MAS will discuss the issue with TCT. Sadi hopes that the lightning strike that was six years in the making will encourage the government to address the problems of the boat owners. She pointed out that “I have repeatedly presented the issue in parliament.” “I have also discussed it with President Jennifer Simons. The Ministry of Finance and Planning has already contacted me but it explained that it could not take action independently as the responsibility for the sector is in the hands of TCT. The boat owners have run out of patience”, said Sadi who added that the Commewijne District strongly depends on the river and the private ferry service when it comes down to the connection with Paramaribo. The ferry services connect places such as Leonsberg, Nieuw-Amsterdam and Meerzorg with Paramaribo.

Sadi expressed grave concern over the pressure that is put daily on the bridge that connects Commewijne with Paramaribo. She explained that trucks with heavy loads such as wooden logs, gravel and even oil tankers cross the bridge. Sadi wants the Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning to check regularly if the bridge is not being overloaded. She pointed out that not only the age of the bridge is an important factor but also the vibrations and the pressure that heavy traffic put on the bridge.