6 Staatsolie Nieuws

thus proving his sympathetic nature. ‘He was always there for
the staff. You could always pour your heart out to him in good
faith. He knew how to listen and for this many young people
were attracted to him,’ said Waaldijk. ‘On top of that Ben was
a bon vivant. Besides working he loved fun. Dancing, sports
and delicious food were his passion.’
Enormous Drive
Ben Nuboer had dedicated himself to take Staatsolie to
great heights. Staatsolie staff deeply mourns his death, but
at the same time cherishes the good memories of working
with Ben. ‘He was much more than just a colleague’, said
Vandana Gangaram Panday, who, as an REP member, has
worked some years closely with Ben. ‘He was also a friend
and a father, a very patient man and a teacher for the team.’
She describes Ben as a man with an enormous drive, a man
who was known for his compassion, integrity; a man whose
objective was to achieve quality and who at the same time
knew how to instill serenity.
Natural Resources Minister Jim Hok offered his condolences
to Staatsolie and the family on behalf of the government.
Hok said that that Ben’s departure leaves a void. ‘Yet he left
ample inspiration for people to fill that void, proof of which is
the many expressions of sympathy. He has meant a lot for
Staatsolie. Let us continue those things which he has done
and which carried our approval.’
Chairman of the board Narpath Bissumbhar referred to
Nuboer as one of Suriname’s big sons. He was of significance
to Staatsolie and the many organizations which he
has served and where he was respected.
Love of Sports
Ben also had a weakness for sports; he loved it. He liked
game fishing, soccer and basketball. He was affiliated to the
Keep Fit and Yellow Birds sports associations.
He has been the chair of the Staatsolie Sports Fund since
it was founded in 2008 and was in charge of the construction,
expansion and rehabilitation of many a sports facility.
Children in several districts can now enjoy sports in their own
neighborhood, owing to Ben.
Ben was a member of the Board of Supervisors of the
Surinaamse Brouwerij NV (The Parbo Brewery), the DSB-
Bank, member of the Suriname Red Cross, member of the
Career Committee Hogeschool Inholland Suriname and
member of the Rotary Club Paramaribo Residence.
Family Man
‘It is a great loss for us. We still have to cope with it,’ says
Omar, Ben’s son. ‘It won’t be easy at first, but we’ll have to
be there for each other. He has done great deeds and I hope
I’ll be able to follow in his footsteps.’
Duncan, Ben’s brother, said that education was very important
to his brother. ‘Even when he was on vacation, he still
wanted to gain knowledge, such a dedicated man was he. He
was someone who very seriously dedicated himself to every
project he had started. He always inquired after his nephews’
school results and their career. He was a family man who
was proud of his wife Cindy, his children Omar and Siah and
their sports achievements.’
The biblical meaning of Benito is ‘The Blessed One’. He
honored that name because he was blessed many a time
and he was also a blessing to many.
Staatsolie Nieuws • No. 3 • 2011
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