SPECIAL FEATURE The project is
25% expected to benefit
of the people who depend on reliable road transport.
SECTOR: TRANSPORTATION PROJECT: MEERZORG-ALBINA CORRIDOR REHABILITATION STATUS: COMPLETED FINANCING: US$13.8 MILLION (2012)
The OPEC Fund’s 2012 loan helped rehabilitate a 140 km road corridor linking Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, to the eastern border of French Guiana, improving access to key economic areas and facilitating trade as well as regional integration.
Ernie Warno, Local teacher, Commewijne District, Suriname I’ve lived here for 37 years. We have traditional agriculture and a lot of small, family businesses like restaurants, clothing stores and beauty salons. Many supermarkets have emerged. There’s also a new high school, so it’s a very busy neighborhood. It was very quiet before this road was built because it took a long time to get to and from Paramaribo – about two-to-four hours by ferry. We didn’t get many visitors from other districts. Now it only takes 30 minutes to Paramaribo, and we see tourists from Nickerie, Saramacca and Wanica. Trade has also grown more than 100 percent. We have different products from Marowijne and French Guiana, and decentralization of services generally. Suriname has a lot to offer. Not only fresh air and a healthy
environment but friendly people. Besides traditional cultures like Javanese, Chinese, Maroon, and Indian, we now also have mixed cultures – people who are half-Javanese, half-Hindustani. The smiles we have on our faces are the first thing tourists would notice, and keep for as long as they live.
SURINAME'S RAINFOREST Karel Dawson, Owner, Kabalebo Nature Resort,
Sipaliwini District, Suriname This part of the rainforest is pristine and uninhabited. There are no villages or communities, just an airstrip where you land in front of the lodge. Our guests come from all over the world. You can do guided hikes on about 30 km of trails, visit rapids and waterfalls, go up or down river by boat or kayak. You can fish by catch and release, but you’re not allowed to hunt. We preserve wildlife here. Tapirs, ocelot and agouti are quite common. We also have harpy eagles and black curassow walking around. They’re very at ease and unafraid of people. It’s important for Suriname to develop this industry because it’s sustainable and can create good livelihoods for people. This is just a wonderful place to be.
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PHOTOS (unless otherwise credited: OPEC Fund/Federico Pardo
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