Gov’t Stripped Linden of Toll Revenue as Financial Crisis Deepens

By Mark DaCosta-The Government’s decision to halt toll collection for commercial vehicles in Linden has triggered fresh concerns over what local leaders and opposition officials describe as a continuing pattern of actions that are undermining the welfare and financial stability of Linden and Region 10. The latest directive, issued by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, orders the immediate cessation of toll collection at the Kara Kara Public Road toll station.

The move comes after the removal of tolls on the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and has intensified concerns over the erosion of revenue available to the Linden Mayor and Town Council, leaving the municipality facing another financial setback without, critics say, corresponding support from central government.

In a letter (seen below) directed to Lennox Gasper, the Linden Town Clerk, and Mayor Dominique Blair, Minister Manickchand stated that no by-law or legal order was ever instituted to sanction the tolls previously collected by the local government. As a result, all charges imposed are deemed “null, void and unlawful.” This abrupt cessation of toll collection is expected to have significant financial repercussions, robbing the Town Council of millions monthly at a time when its budget is already under pressure.