PM Phillips’ clout tested as he called 2nd meeting with Linden stakeholders on flooding crisis, development; first yielded nothing

With skepticism Lindeners view another promise by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to fix the flooding situation in the township, named after the Opposition, People’s National Congress (PNC), Founder Leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. This town has suffered denial of resources, financial and otherwise, from the PPP government because it is a stronghold of the Opposition.

Within recent months the township has been reeling for severe floods, wreaking destruction to lives and properties. In May Linden’s Mayor Sharma Solomon called on Central Government to put aside partisan politics and partner with the regional and local governments leadership to address the problems. Nothing happened.

Last July Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, a Lindener, held an impromptu meeting at the Watooka Guest House in Linden with key stakeholders to address the severe flooding in Linden/Region 10. The area has been devastated by flood since around April/May, resulting in tens millions of dollars in damages to businesses and homeowners. Nothing happened and the situation in the town and region has worsened.

Yesterday, the PM held another meeting, the second in two months, on Linden/Region 10. That meeting included Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and stakeholders from Linden to address the urgent issues of flooding and long-term drainage planning.

Also participating were Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud, representatives from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); Regional Democratic Council’s REO Mr Dwight John; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira; Town Clerk Lennox Gasper, representatives from Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc and Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI).

Noticeably absent were Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams and Linden’s Mayor Sharma Solomon who have been exposing the sloppy infrastructural work, denial of financial resources from Central Government and identifying what resources needed.

Last week Solomon highlighted the poor work on drainage and irrigation that have contributed to severe flooding in the town, loss and destruction of property.

This time around government said the primary agenda at the meeting revolved around immediate, medium, and long-term flood-mitigation for the town. The Linden delegation also highlighted on-going challenges in several areas that require urgent attention.

Phillips, once again, noted the importance of a comprehensive approach to fixing the problems, ignoring the fact that the information is there and what needs to be done.

The PM would like it to be believed Government is concerned about the impacts of the flood in the township and is “prepared to continue meeting because we are interested in the actions taken and are monitoring the progress and we know we will have to take additional actions as we identify all things that need to be done and we will get it done.”

The Government said Opposition Member of Parliament, Figueira, will lead a flood investigation assessment in Linden today. The team is expected to visit flood-prone areas identified during the meeting to determine immediate action steps.

Addressing drainage and irrigation upgrades, it was agreed specific areas in Linden, such as Five Corner, would receive priority attention. Drainage improvements—including clearing clogged culverts and converting mud drains into concrete structures—will be addressed before the next rainy season.

Last June, the Region’s Chairman Deron Adams highlighted the financial constraints experienced which hinders the region’s ability to do drainage and irrigation work.

The Regional Democratic Council said repeated requests in budget submissions and direct appeals dating back to 2021 were made, but neither the RDC nor the Town Council have secured the necessary funds to undertake essential drainage and infrastructure works.

Also reportedly discussed were infrastructure enhancements such as expanding and rebuilding critical culverts expected to increase capacity and mitigate future flooding. Additionally, dredging works in key areas will be initiated to improve water flow.

The team also reportedly explored the development of a Garbage Disposal and Waste Management Plan. This plan will purportedly focus on enhancing waste collection services and promoting environmental responsibility within the community, given that effective waste management is crucial in preventing drainage blockages.

Phillips offered government’s commitment to collaborate with local stakeholders to modernise Linden’s drainage systems and enhance its resilience against future flooding. The flooding in Linden has been ongoing including when Jamaica suffered by flooding during Hurricane Beryl.  Instead, the Government directed resources to Jamaica and ignored Linden.

In August Adams told this publication he holds out hope the Government would favourably consider its 2025 Budget Proposals and provide the needed funding to support the region’s development programme.

As Opposition strongholds continue to demand similar attention and resources allocations as the government strongholds, Phillips’ clout in the PPP will be tested to deliver for a community, though supportive of the Opposition, is primarily African Guyanese as he is.