First female president sworn into office

PARAMARIBO (CMC):

Jenny Simons was sworn in as Suriname’s first female president, alongside Gregory Rusland, who was inaugurated as vice president.

In the historic ceremony, the two leaders took over from the outgoing administration of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, who have governed the CARICOM member state for the past five years.

In her inaugural address delivered during a special public session of Parliament, Simons issued a powerful and unequivocal directive to her new administration: the windfall from Suriname’s emerging oil and gas sector must uplift the entire population – not just a select few.

The incoming government has the task of ensuring that the profits from the oil and gas sector improve the standard of living for every Surinamese.

She also turned to offshore oil discoveries stating that major petroleum finds are poised to reshape the national economy.

“We have little time left to prepare for this new phase in our economy,” she warned. “Much must be done, and it can only succeed with the participation of all Surinamers – at home and abroad.”

Simons also made it clear that her administration would not squander this opportunity.

“We are inheriting a country that still faces serious economic challenges,” she acknowledged, “but with good prospects for the future – if we succeed in bridging these first difficult years.”

She also pledged to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued other resource-rich nations, where petroleum wealth has too often benefited a narrow elite.

“There are enough examples around the world of nations where the development of this sector enriched only a few,” Simons said. “That must not be our story.”