Linden crumbles under substandard works and political neglect

By Mark DaCosta-The town of Linden is currently again facing a dire flooding situation as poorly executed infrastructural projects wreak havoc on the community. The most immediate concern is the failing drainage systems, which have resulted in frequent, repeated, and severe flooding. Areas like Kara Kara, Victory Valley, and central Mackenzie are hardest hit, with homes submerged, roads eroded, and local businesses suffering immense damage. This crisis has exposed deep flaws in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s management of critical public works and has left Linden residents feeling abandoned.

Recent projects, highlighted by Linden’s Mayor, such as the drainage system along Independence Avenue, have done more harm than good. Rather than alleviating flood risks, these systems have worsened the situation, with poorly constructed drainage walls collapsing into the drains, and blocking the drains.

The work, marred by substandard quality, has failed to meet the community’s needs, leading to growing anger and frustration among residents. Many now view these failures as not just infrastructural but also symptomatic of broader political neglect.

Mayor Sharma Raheem Solomon has emerged as a leading voice of discontent, openly criticising the government’s approach to Linden’s issues. In the wake of the disastrous flooding in May 2024, Solomon pointed to the government’s failure to properly maintain waterways like the Hymara Creek as a key reason for the town’s increased flood risk.

Despite the central government spending $77 million on infrastructure, Solomon argues that these funds have not been put to effective use, as local expertise and collaboration with regional authorities were largely ignored. The mayor believes this lack of cooperation has compounded Linden’s vulnerability. And now, Linden is flooded yet again.

Residents are demanding accountability for what they see as a misuse of public funds, with nothing to show in terms of sustainable, effective development.

This situation is not just about mismanagement — it is also about the political divide that has long characterised the relationship between the PPP government and the largely opposition-aligned Region 10. Lindeners feel that their town has been intentionally marginalised, with critical infrastructural investments either delayed or executed poorly as a form of political retribution. These concerns are exacerbated by accusations that lucrative contracts for public works are handed out to political allies rather than qualified professionals, further undermining the quality of the projects. In fact, Mayor Solomon has openly and fearlessly made that allegation.

The consequences of these failures are devastating. Eroding lands, collapsing structures, and streets turned into rivers of floodwater have left Linden on the edge of a major disaster. The crumbling infrastructure is not just a daily inconvenience but a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of the town’s population. As calls for a government intervention grow louder, there is a palpable fear that without immediate and meaningful action, the situation could spiral further out of control.

While Linden’s history of political and infrastructural neglect is well known, the current crisis has reached a tipping point. The town’s future hangs in the balance, with its residents waiting to see whether the central government will address the issues with the urgency and seriousness they deserve. For now, Linden is a community on the brink, battling both the elements and the indifference of those in power in Georgetown. The question remains: will action come before it’s too late, or will Linden be left to crumble further under the weight of neglect and substandard works?