Edghill blasts Linden Mayor for poor financial management amid complaints over toll-free Wismar Bridge

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has criticised the Linden Mayor and Town Council for poor financial management, after Mayor Sharma Solomon complained about the Central Government’s decision to make three major bridges across the country toll-free.

Solomon, in a statement on Monday, said the removal of the tolls from the Wismar Bridge will present significant financial challenges for the town council.

He claimed that the township generated approximately $6 million per month from the bridge tolls.

Solomon said this budget shortfall will impact a number of projects in the municipality, including giving workers an increase in their salaries.

Contacted for a comment on the Linden Mayor’s statement, Minister Edghill accused him of trying to stymie development.

“It is clear that the Mayor of Linden and his political handlers would like to continue to pass on hardships to the people of Linden and to the people of Guyana. The government is busy relieving people of hardships, bringing cost of living down,” the public works minister outlined.

He also rebutted the Mayor’s contention that the removal of the bridge tolls will significantly impact the finances of the town council. According to Edghill, the fare to cross the bridge is as low as $60 for some categories of vehicles.

In fact, Edghill said the council is earning more money from tolls at the Kara Kara checkpoint but there is nothing to show on how these funds are being spent.

“The Mayor of Linden should tell you how much money is being collected from the truck toll at the Kara Kara toll booth and what that money has been used for. The toll to cross the Wismar bridge is $80 and so on for a car. It is $8000 and $10,000 for a toll at the Kara Kara checkpoint, what is the money being used for and why is he complaining?”

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday announced that effective from August 1, 2025, it will be toll-free to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Berbice Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden.

In explaining the move last year, the President noted that the government is looking to ease the burden on citizens while also enhancing the transportation network and improving competitiveness through the efficient movement of goods and services across the country.