The new Civil Code is seen as a threat in certain communities. And rightly so: lands that were never formally established can now be more easily claimed by third parties through the courts. But those who look a little further see not only danger but also opportunity. An incentive even. Because if we are honest, there is unused land all over Suriname. Land with potential. Land that lies dormant.
If you look with googlemaps at the districts Commewijne Para Saramacca Coronie districts that used to have active plantations that produced tons of agricultural products we now see mostly forest! In Commewijne you can still clearly see the lines of reclamation. Beautiful pieces of land, fertile, strategically located. But who uses them? Who maintains them? Who produces anything on them? Citrus fruits that were plentiful thirty years ago are hardly available anymore, like the navel orange or the Kwatta orange. No grapefruit we had in Suriname several varieties of rice where are they now? And we keep complaining. "The government is doing nothing." But what are we doing ourselves?
Let this be clear: If you don't use what you own, you lose it. That's not a rule of law, that's a law of nature. And that is exactly what happens when we treat valuable capital assets so casually. We need to rediscover the power of organization. Those who do not organize are going to die. A few are drowning.
Sure. Here is an actually improved and more powerful formulation of your reasoning, retaining the core message but using clearer language and economic precision:
Land as a means of production, not an heirloom
It is time to move away from the idea that land is a sentimental possession that we keep only "for the children." Instead, we must recognize land as an economic productive asset. Like labor and capital assets (such as machinery and buildings), land is an essential basis for economic activity.
Land is limited available, valuable and crucial for production in sectors such as agriculture, housing, tourism and industry. Land that remains unused or poorly utilized represents not only missed opportunities, but also irresponsible management of national assets.
Land must work, not because we blindly follow capitalism, but because we bear responsibility for development, employment and future-oriented growth. Active utilization of land means contributing to Suriname's development, economy, food security, housing and prosperity for our children. We cannot just let it lie!
Organization is the key
Lands belonging to family groups, estates or tribal communities can and should be placed in legal entities such as a Limited Liability Company (N.V.) or a foundation so legal persons. An association is too weak because you can't really trade with it but with an N.V. or a Foundation you go to the bank! With that you establish ownership, you establish your structure and you can do business. Each member of the group gets a share or a vote within this organization. There will be a supervisory board, a board of directors, a treasurer. We will think like a company, act like a team and reap as a people with vision for the future.
That means: making your own plans. Finding investors yourself. Negotiating on your own. Producing ourselves. And yes, also distributing profits ourselves and reinvesting them in our own communities. We should not wait for the government to develop our communities while we can do it ourselves. We must reach out to work, earn and send the children to school. That is how our children will become engineers, doctors, techies, entrepreneurs. This is how our culture will continue to exist and grow. This is how our creeks stay clean, our lands protected and our bank accounts healthy.
No ethnic excuse
Let's stop ethnic scaremongering. This is not about rijeken who want to take our lands. This is about ourselves. We are rich we just haven't taken advantage of our wealth. It is time to stop pointing fingers and start building. Build for each other build for Suriname! Because whoever does nothing loses everything. But those who organize, win. And if we sit around waiting for someone else from outside who has no affinity with our culture and our nature to take the lead they will get richer over our backs and we will then be left with a broko pernasi. It is time that we recognize that we can only save ourselves and that we must leverage our wealth.
A 21st-century mindset
We are living in 2025. Everything is on the table: laws, technology, knowledge, access to capital. Let's use it. Let's use our land for production, our knowledge for growth, and our love of the land for protection of nature and culture. But not on feelings alone. Based on structure, cooperation and vision.
If you don't decide what happens to your land, someone else will. And then it will be too late. So establish that N.V. or Foundation. Put that board together. Find lawyers, economists, young leaders. Invest in your own community. Get organized. Because he who organizes wins!
