has triggered a wave of unrest among the residents of the Paamaka region. MP Genevievre Jordan (ABOP) explained that the village chiefs notified the ABOP and asked for the government to take action. She pointed out that there is an urgent need for measures against the owners of the skalians. Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo explained that he has not received any reports regarding the reappearance of skalians on the border rivers. When he came into office in 2020 there were about 20 skalians actively operating on the border rivers including the Marowijne and the Lawa. After the government had a serious talk with the owners of the skalians the number of skalians dropped significantly. But a few owners of skalians were reluctant to call it quits so the Public Prosecutor’s Office had to intervene to evict these skalians. “We know what kind of action the Public Prosecutor’s Office took. Yes, all of those skalians were blown up. As far as I know there were no more skalians on the border rivers from that point on,” said Minister Abiamofo who added that he is not familiar with the reappearance of skalians in the Paamaka region but he assured parliament that he would launch an investigation to find out what is going on. Minister Abiamofo promised to take swift action if the reports are true.