Solomon Slams Phillips Untruth on McKenzie/Wismar Bridge, Culpability

Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon said the Prime Minister is deceitful or extremely ignorant to knowledge of the Act that guides the system for operation of the McKenzie/ Wismar Bridge,  based on his statements on the McKenzie/Wismar Bridge accident and his comments on the responsibility of the Mayor & City Council.  The Mayor said this “comes from a place of ignorance or the desire to deceive”

The Linden Mayor speaking with Village Voice News explained that  “the Bridge falls under the McKenzie/Wismar Bridge Act.” The Bridge Act  states that the bridge toll is received by the Neighborhood Democratic Organs  and the Government, through NICIL, is responsible for all repairs and maintenance to the bridge structure.”

The Mayor said he was both incensed and concerned that the story written in Inews online stating that PM said the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) -led Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is responsible for the bridge and that any organisation collecting money from infrastructure is responsible for its maintenance. The is erroneous the Mayor noted stating that  “Prime Minister Mark Phillips statement claims are brazenly deceitful and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Local Government Authority in Linden.”

The Mayor further explained that “the LM&TC has never had the responsibility for the maintenance of the McKenzie/Wismar Bridge; all maintenance works were done by NIClL weekly.”

He further said “the bridge committee which includes two councillors and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Town Clerk had highlighted the damage section at the meetings held.”

The Mayor explained that “in August the PPP was busy with transporting their supporters to campaigns for the September 1 2025 General and Regional  Elections so NICIL had just cordoned off the damage area with caution tape because the agency wanted the facilitate the easy movement of traffic so NICIL refused to effect maintenance works.”

The collapse of a section of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge on Sunday 14 September 2025 resulted in injuries to users, and a motorist who lost his motorcycle when it fell into the Demerara river below. The Mayor expressed that  “neglect by the PPP/C Government and NICIL shows clearly their willingness to lie to absolve blame and compensation, continued disrespect for the citizens of Linden, and the scant care for commerce of the trucking industry that transports sand, stone, lumber and goods to and from the Hinterland and to Georgetown, which depends on the McKenzie/Wismar Bridge for crossing.”