The Linden Mayor and Town Council is seeking clarity from the government over the removal of two major municipal revenue streams following a meeting with President Irfaan Ali on the financial implications for the municipality.

Mayor Dominique Blair said the meeting with Ali and councillors focused on revenue from the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge toll, governed by the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge Act, and the Kara Kara toll station, which the council says was established under by-laws gazetted in 2016.

“Preliminary information was provided on current income and financial arrangements. However, additional information was requested and this would be provided in a subsequent meeting to be held tomorrow,” Blair said in a statement on Wednesday.

The meeting followed an instruction from Minister of Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand to Town Clerk Lennox Gasper to immediately stop the imposition and collection of tolls or other charges at the Kara Kara Public Road toll station.

Manickchand reportedly said the ministry had not authorised the imposition or collection of any toll or charges at Kara Kara or elsewhere in Linden.

Former mayor and Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon has criticised the move, saying the Kara Kara toll was a critical source of municipal revenue.

Solomon said the collection generated about G$30 million when the previous council took office in 2023 and more than G$100 million by the time it left office.

He said removing the revenue stream would undermine local government.
Blair said the council’s concerns extended beyond revenue, arguing that the funds support essential services, statutory responsibilities, employment and community needs.

He reaffirmed the council’s reliance on constitutional provisions concerning local government autonomy and revenue generation, particularly Articles 75, 76 and 77.

Blair said the council remained “resolute” in advocating for the preservation of revenue streams critical to Linden and would continue seeking transparency and a sustainable financial arrangement.

The council is expected to receive additional information at a meeting on today before deciding on its next steps.