Years of neglect by Linden Town Council responsible for Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge collapse – PM

See full statement from Prime Minister Mark Phillips:

The collapse of a section of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge on Sunday evening is a terrifying reminder of the failure and neglect that residents of Linden continue to face from the PNCR-led Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC). My thoughts and prayers are with those injured, and I extend best wishes for their full recovery.

What is equally distressing, however, is the attempt by Mayor Sharma Solomon, as reported in today’s edition of Stabroek News, to twist this unfortunate event into a political talking point by dishonestly blaming the Government and the removal of tolls.

The LM&TC, by its own admission, has long held legal responsibility under the Bridge Act for the oversight and maintenance of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge. Tolls were collected up to July 31, 2025, providing a steady revenue stream for years. The question, therefore, is not whether funds were available, but whether they were used for their intended purpose and that is to ensure regular inspections, lighting, safety upgrades, and structural maintenance.

If an independent audit were conducted into revenues collected between August 2020 and July 2025, it would almost certainly reveal a pattern of negligence, poor prioritization, and misuse of funds that should have been dedicated to keeping this vital structure safe.
Safety and maintenance of existing infrastructure are core duties of any municipal authority entrusted with public resources. The LM&TC’s failure to meet those duties, despite collecting toll revenues up to mere weeks ago, is indefensible.

By contrast, the Government of Guyana has acted with foresight and responsibility.

Acknowledging the age and limitations of the current structure, the Government has already committed resources and commenced construction of a modern, permanent river crossing at Linden. This new bridge will replace the old structure and redefine connectivity in Region 10 by improving safety, supporting commerce, facilitating tourism, and reducing transport inefficiencies that have long stifled growth.

It is a forward-looking project, emblematic of a Government that places people’s well-being at the center of development.