Mr. Prof. Ir. Van Blommenstein engineers and directs the construction of the Afobaka Dam.

The construction started in 1961 and was finished in 1964. About 75% of the generated energy was used for aluminum production and the rest is consumed in Paramaribo.

First violation of Saamaka human rights. An area of 156,000 hectares was flooded and about 9,000 Saamakans were displaced from their traditional lands. Displaced clans were pushed into the territory of others, stressing jungle resources, internal disputes and forcing more migration.