Jermain Pinas appointed Director of SBB in Suriname

Jermain Pinas has been officially appointed as the General Director of the Stichting voor Bosbeheer en Bostoezicht (SBB), the organization responsible for managing and protecting Suriname's forests. Pinas, who previously served in an acting capacity, takes over the leadership role following a period of significant administrative and legal instability within the institution.

The appointment follows a turbulent era marked by leadership disputes and legal battles, most notably involving former director Ruben Ravenberg. Ravenberg was suspended in March, triggering a conflict regarding his position and the authority behind the suspension, which involved the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management.

Pinas has stated his intention to focus on restoring organizational stability, improving internal communication, and delivering concrete results. His objectives include restructuring the organization and fostering local community involvement in sustainable forest management through educational and collaborative initiatives.