PM blames years of neglect by Linden Town Council for Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge collapse

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has said that years of neglect by the PNCR-led Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) are directly responsible for Sunday evening’s collapse of a section of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge.

In a statement on Tuesday, Phillips expressed sympathy to those injured in the incident, wishing them a speedy recovery. But he also criticised attempts by Mayor Sharma Solomon to blame the government for the collapse.

According to the Prime Minister, the LM&TC has long held legal responsibility under the Bridge Act for the maintenance and oversight of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge. Tolls were collected up to July 31, 2025, which provided a steady revenue stream over the years.

“The question is not whether funds were available, but whether they were used for their intended purpose — regular inspections, lighting, safety upgrades, and structural maintenance,” Phillips said.

He added that an independent audit of revenues collected between August 2020 and July 2025 would likely reveal “a pattern of negligence, poor prioritisation, and misuse of funds” by the Council.

“Safety and maintenance of existing infrastructure are core duties of any municipal authority entrusted with public resources. The LM&TC’s failure to meet those duties, despite collecting toll revenues up to mere weeks ago, is indefensible,” the Prime Minister stated.

By contrast, he said the government has taken steps to address the long-term needs of the community, pointing to the construction of a new, permanent river crossing at Linden.

“This new bridge will replace the old structure and redefine connectivity in Region 10 by improving safety, supporting commerce, facilitating tourism, and reducing transport inefficiencies that have long stifled growth,” Phillips said.

He noted that the project reflects the government’s commitment to placing citizens’ well-being at the centre of development.