by Euritha Tjan A Way
PARAMARIBO / WITAGRON — “I didn’t know anything about this. I saw on social media that Mennonites had drilled a water well, but that was not discussed with the larger community here,” a resident of Witagron, who did not wish to be named, told the True Time. He confirms the statements of the grand chief of the Kwinti that the communities of Witagron and Caymanston do not want any involvement with the Mennonites.
From one video of Star News it appears that the Mennonites tapped a water source to provide drinking water. There is a drinking water installation from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the village of Witagron, but it breaks down more often than it functions. According to the resident, the actions of the Mennonites show that there are problems with cultural differences. “In Suriname it is the granman who, after consulting his people, can give permission to participate in a project. The Mennonites come here, don’t know how it should be done and just do it. Den man no e hori account nanga unu fasi fa wi e libi.”
“They make money from it and that blinds them. But the Kwinti generally do not want these people here”
Resident Witagron
Dubious Role Souvenir
According to granman Remon Clemens is the culprit former head captain Harold Souvenir. “The traditional authority has removed this former authority from office for a long time and informed the relevant authorities of this. But he continues to interfere in these types of matters,” the grand chief said. the True Time.
Clemens points out that the Kwinti believe in the principle of ‘Free, Prior and Informed Consent‘ (FPIC). According to him, the entrepreneur Braganza Marketing and the Mennonites involved were contacted without prior consultation granman entered Witagron and carried out activities there. “That is disrespectful and unheard of,” says the grand chief.
Clemens points out that the Kwinti community does not consist of Souvenir, his family or one group within Witagron. “No individual or family can give consent on behalf of the entire Kwinti community to activities with far-reaching consequences for our common habitat,” emphasizes the granman.
Nothing is free
To add: “And nothing is free. They have provided water, but what do they want in return? We as Kwinti are the guardians of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve. Our vision is not compatible with large-scale agriculture and environmental pollution; it is against our nature as a society. Money, gifts nor facilities will change our minds.”
One of the residents of Witagron confirms that it is a small group around Souvenir that promotes the arrival of the Mennonites. “They make money from it and that blinds them. But the Kwinti generally do not want these people here.”
Granman Clemens calls on the government to help remove the Mennonites from the area. “The president himself said she doesn’t want them here, so what are they still doing here?”
