PARAMARIBO - Public Works and Spatial Planning Minister Stephen Tsang recently responded to the criticism that was triggered by the deployment of Guyanese water pumps in Suriname...

by making it clear that Suriname did not ask for help but that neighboring Guyana offered its help spontaneously because of the serious flooding in parts of Paramaribo. He pointed out that the offer followed after an online meeting with the Guyanese president. “Let it be clear because I see the discussion on social media. It is not true that we went to Guyana to get these pumps,” said Minister Tsang who added that Suriname could not refuse such help because the country is facing huge problems with its drainage systems. The minister explained that when he came into office, he came across two mobile pumps that did not work. He pointed out that proposals aimed at improving the capacity have been presented. The two Guyanese pumps will be deployed at strategic locations to drain the excess water faster. One of the pumps will be placed at the Sabaku Project in the northern part of Paramaribo while the other one will be placed near Red Apple in the Indira Gandhiweg to address the flooding in the Rahemal region.