Linden Town Council rejects Manickchand’s ban on Kara Kara Road tolls

(Kaieteur News) – The Linden Mayor and Town Council has strongly objected to the directive issued by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand instructing the Town Clerk to immediately cease imposing and collecting tolls or charges on the Kara Kara Public Road.

According to a statement issued by the town council and signed by Mayor, Dominique Blair, the Council considers the minister’s position to be legally questionable, internally inconsistent, and contrary to the constitutional principle of local democratic autonomy.

In the directive addressed to Linden Town Clerk, Lennox Gasper and copied to the Mayor of Linden, Dominique Blair, Minister Manickchand said the Ministry has not authorised the imposition or collection of any toll/charges at Kara Kara Public Road or anywhere else in Linden. She stated that no by-law or order had been issued and published by the Minister with responsibility for Local Government authorising such charges. According to the minister, any toll or charge imposed and collected by the Linden Mayor and Town Council, either directly or through servants or agents, is “null, void and unlawful.” She therefore instructed the council to cease and desist immediately from imposing or collecting any tolls or charges at Kara Kara Public Road. The minister also warned that failure to comply could result in the institution of legal proceedings against the Council and/or individuals responsible for the alleged unlawful imposition and collection of the tolls.