Suriname currently has a centralized structure of government, with national ministries in charge of the delivery of most basic local services. Institutional divisions now consist of 10 districts following the most recent re-division in 1985. The capital of Paramaribo and a further 8 districts in the north of the country have local district councils responsible for the oversight and management of the districts. The ninth district is the thinly populated Sipaliwini district in the inland of the country and makes up nearly 80% of the country’s landmass. This district is governed directly by the central government. Below the districts a total of 62 ressorten exist. Where elected, ressort councils form the executive power at the local level. No autonomous municipalities exist. Elections for ressort and district councils are held parallel to national elections which were held most recently in 2010 for a term of 5 years. The central government appoints district commissioners who head the local councils.
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In the mid nineties The Ministry of Regional Development, which is responsible for the government and oversight of all districts, initiated the Decentralization and Local Government Program (DLGP). Part of this program was the institutionalization and legalization of local government in Suriname. A new provisional law was put in action, as well as the creation of several pilot-districts. In time the draft law on fiscal decentralization will provide the basis for all local authorities in Suriname.
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The DLGP program was successfully concluded in 2008 and followed by the DLGP II program (2008-2013) which started with the creation of five new pilot districts. These districts were given new responsibilities as well as autonomy in fiscal matters. Another goal of the DLGP projects is infrastructural and material support to districts. For example the sealing of roads, renovating district offices but also focusing on waste and water management such as drainage facilities. Although the draft law on fiscal decentralization and the pilot districts has yet to be made definitive, the success of the DLGP programs show the far-reaching commitment to decentralization and local government in Suriname.
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