8 to 12 weeks,” said Justice and Safety Minister Harish Monorath who added that the purchase of these vehicles was delayed because parties could not reach an agreement. As a result of this delay five fire stations currently so not have a fire truck. Minister Monorath called it distressing that the decision making took this long. He explained that since the start of October he has been willing to proceed with the purchase of five secondhand fire trucks at a foreign supplier who had previously delivered vehicles to the Fire Department Suriname and who also carries out maintenance. According to the minister, some officials wanted to purchase secondhand vehicles while others preferred new ones. As a result of this disagreement the purchase was unnecessarily delayed. It could take 7 to 9 months for new vehicles to arrive in Suriname after the order has been placed. The minister had therefore proposed purchasing

secondhand vehicles to be purchased while officials wait for the arrival of the new ones. Each secondhand fire truck costs about €100,000.