By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-09-04 11:06:30 | Updated at 2026-09-04 12:19:03
2 hours ago
SURINAME · ECONOMY
Key Facts
- —What happened Suriname’s state utility, EBS, raised cooking-gas cylinder prices on September 1, 2026.
- —How big A 28-lb cylinder now costs SRD 535 (about US$14.12), up from SRD 508 (about US$13.40).
- —What it means Households face higher costs from a scheduled quarterly price increase.
- —The clash EBS’s own director publicly told parliament to pay its unpaid electricity bill.
- —The family tie That director, Leo Brunswijk, is the younger brother of Ronnie Brunswijk, parliament’s vice chairman.
- —Who it affects Households buying cooking gas, and taxpayers who cover parliament’s power bills.
- —What comes next The 14-kg cylinder faces one more scheduled increase, on December 1, 2026.
Suriname’s state utility, EBS, raised cooking-gas prices this week in a scheduled quarterly increase. Days later, the utility’s own director publicly clashed with parliament over its unpaid electricity bills.
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Suriname’s state energy company, N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname, known as EBS, raised cooking-gas cylinder prices on September 1. The increase follows a scheduled quarterly adjustment set under a 2023 ministerial decree.
The same week, EBS’s own director publicly clashed with parliament over its unpaid electricity bills. The director is Leo Brunswijk, the younger brother of a senior parliamentary leader.
Cooking-Gas Prices Rise Again
The 28-lb propane cylinder now costs SRD 535 (about US$14.12), up from SRD 508 (about US$13.40). The 14-kg composite cylinder now costs SRD 556.50 (about US$14.68), up from SRD 530 (about US$13.98).
EBS says the increase is part of a subsidy phase-out that began in 2023. The 28-lb cylinder has now reached its final price under the current decree.
The 14-kg cylinder will rise once more, on December 1, 2026. Households that buy the smaller cylinder face one final increase before the year ends.
Prices have climbed in steps since the subsidy phase-out began. The 28-lb cylinder cost just SRD 441 (about US$11.64) as recently as March 2026, according to Suriname Herald.
EBS Director Rebukes Parliament
EBS General Director Leo Brunswijk hit back at parliament in comments published Thursday. Lawmakers had criticized the utility’s performance, including recent outages.
Brunswijk told the broadcaster Sun Web TV that lawmakers should look at their own conduct first. His message was blunt: “DNA, pay your electricity bill.”
Brunswijk said parliament runs several buildings with heavy air-conditioning use. He said parliament still owes EBS money despite that spending, according to Suriname Herald.
He challenged lawmakers to reveal when they last paid and how much they owe. Suriname’s parliament has not made that figure public.
A Family Tie Inside Parliament
Leo Brunswijk is the younger brother of Ronnie Brunswijk, a well-known Surinamese politician. Ronnie Brunswijk served as the country’s vice president from 2020 to 2025.
He now serves as vice chairman of Suriname’s parliament, De Nationale Assemblee, known as the DNA. That makes him a leader of the very body his brother just criticized.
This family connection has drawn conflict-of-interest concerns in Suriname before. There is no evidence Ronnie Brunswijk was involved in this week’s dispute over parliament’s bill.
Cost of Living Pressures
The gas price increase adds to household costs across Suriname. Many families rely on propane cylinders for daily cooking.
For a typical household, the 28-lb cylinder now costs SRD 27 more than before, about US$0.71. That adds up over a full year of quarterly increases.
The dispute over parliament’s unpaid bill raises separate questions about accountability. It remains unclear whether lawmakers will respond to Brunswijk’s challenge.
More: Suriname news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EBS in Suriname?
EBS is the abbreviation for N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname, the state-owned energy company that supplies electricity and cooking gas across Suriname. It sets regulated prices for propane cylinders under a ministerial decree.
How much does cooking gas cost in Suriname now?
As of September 1, 2026, a 28-lb cylinder costs SRD 535 (about US$14.12), up from SRD 508 (about US$13.40). A 14-kg cylinder costs SRD 556.50 (about US$14.68), up from SRD 530 (about US$13.98).
Why did EBS’s director criticize parliament?
EBS General Director Leo Brunswijk publicly told Suriname’s parliament, De Nationale Assemblee (DNA), to pay its unpaid electricity bill. The exact amount parliament owes has not been disclosed.
Are the Brunswijks related?
Yes, EBS General Director Leo Brunswijk is the younger brother of Ronnie Brunswijk. Ronnie Brunswijk is a former vice president who now leads parliament as vice chairman.
Will cooking gas prices rise again in Suriname?
The September 1 increase was the last scheduled increase for the 28-lb cylinder under the current decree. The 14-kg cylinder faces one more scheduled increase, on December 1, 2026.
Sources: Starnieuws (Sept 1, 2026), Suriname Herald (Sept 2-3, 2026; June 1, 2026; March 4, 2026), De West (Sept 3, 2026), Government of Suriname (gov.sr), Central Bank of Suriname.
