The Linden Mayor and Town Council says it will not be able to meet some of its financial obligations if the government moves ahead with its plan to eliminate tolls attached to the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge, effective August 1, 2025.
Guyana Standard understands that the announcement presents an immediate and significant financial challenge for the Council, as the toll, according to Mayor, Sharma Solomon, has historically contributed approximately $6 million per month to the Council’s budget, which totals more than $70 million annually.
In a missive to media, the official noted that to date, the government has not engaged the Council in discussions nor provided any alternative funding solutions to address the substantial budget shortfall that will result from this toll removal.
Furthermore, while the new Wismar Mackenzie Bridge is expected to be completed in the next two years, the Council has yet to be consulted on how the responsibilities for the maintenance and management of this new bridge will be allocated.
Solomon noted that the move will have an impact on salary increases.
He said that on February 6, 2025, the Council held a special meeting to discuss salary increases for workers, given that employment remains at 50%. The Council, according to the mayor, unanimously voted to approve a 26% salary increase, retroactive to cover the period from 2019 to 2022, “recognizing the importance of fair compensation for our employees”.
“However, with the sudden removal of the toll revenue, the Council must now reconsider this increase, as well as the previously planned salary increase for the 2022-2024 period, which was set to take effect after the first quarter of 2025.,” the mayor penned.
He further explained that these salary adjustments are dependent on the toll revenue, and without it, the council’s ability to proceed is uncertain.
The Council therefore said it is seeking an engagement with the government to discuss the financial impact of removing the bridge toll, identifying viable alternative funding sources or mitigation measures and with the completion of the new bridge approaching, the Council is requesting clarity on its role in the management of the infrastructure.
