EXCLUSIVE: Raaj Parwat exposes political elite on RevoTV7: “IMF and IDB money disappears due to banal figures!”
Updated: 3 days ago
Where traditional media remain silent, we bring the raw reality. Johny Griffith sits down with Raaj Parwat as they discuss the harsh reality on the streets. No political fairy tales, but the truth you won't hear anywhere else. In an exclusive and blunt interview with Johny Griffith, social activist Raaj Parwat launches a fierce attack on the established order in Suriname [01:23]. Parwat does not mince words: “The ordinary man on the street doesn't damn well notice any of those so-called social projects. The exchange rate is heavy, the shops are expensive. The money simply doesn't reach the hard-working citizen.”
Where is the money?
Suriname constantly hears about millions in financing from institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and millions in revenue from Staatsolie. Large programs are presented on paper to support the suffering society, but the reality on the ground is devastating.
According to Parwat, the cause lies at the top. “So much funding comes from everywhere, but these unscrupulous figures misuse the money to set up committees, arrange promotions, and strike underhand deals. The money intended for the projects never ends up in the right place.”
The wrong people in the right places
According to Parwat, the common thread of the problem is persistent cronyism and the acute lack of expertise within government agencies. Plans submitted to agencies by hardworking citizens or entrepreneurs are simply not understood by the officials who have been placed there purely for political reasons.
Parwat does not spare the current political leaders in this regard either, and directly lashes out at Ms. Jenny Simons's breach of earlier promises. “We had expected this lady, Ms. Simons of course, to change the system before the elections. But new committees, new ministers, and new board members are all all of the same lacquer and in suits. The problem is that they do not understand why they were put there.”
As a concrete example, he cites the political shifts surrounding Melvin Bouva. “A young man who barely garnered 600 votes in the elections—which means the people clearly no longer want him—yet Ms. Simons appoints him as Minister of Foreign Affairs. While such a minister's task is precisely to bring in foreign work and investors for our people.”
Suriname deliberately kept poor as a 'Low-wage country'
In the in-depth conversation, Parwat explains that due to the current exchange rate (1 to 42), Suriname has become a so-called 'low-wage country'. Theoretically, this offers enormous opportunities to attract European and Dutch companies for assembly or packaging work, which could create thousands of jobs for young Surinamese people because they are proficient in the Dutch language.
“But the circle is complete,” Parwat explains frustratedly. “When you come to Suriname as a foreign company with plans, the stationed officials don’t understand. Then you get a few idiots demanding €100,000 to arrange a fishing license, for example, causing serious companies to immediately back out and walk away. By doing so, the ministers and ambassadors refuse to bring in real jobs for the people.”
Watch the full interview
With this third interview, RevoTV7 once again proves to be the independent voice of the people. Where traditional media remain silent and spread political fairy tales, Johny Griffith brings the raw reality to the fore.
The full, uncensored interview with Raaj Parwat is now exclusively available to watch and listen to on the official website and YouTube channel of RevoTV7.
Comments