Mayor Solomon Urges Gov’t to Take Responsibility for Collapsed McKenzie/Wismar Bridge
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Mayor of Linden, Sharma Solomon, is calling on the central government to “own its duties” regarding the collapsed McKenzie/Wismar Bridge and to stop what he describes as playing politics with the crisis.
In an interview with HGP Nightly News, Mayor Solomon directly criticized Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, saying the Prime Minister’s comments on the Linden Mayor and Town Council’s (LM&TC) role in bridge maintenance were misleading.
According to Solomon, the McKenzie/Wismar Bridge Act clearly outlines that while Neighbourhood Democratic Organs collect the tolls, ultimate responsibility for repairs and maintenance lies with the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) under government authority.
“Whatever resources accrued from the bridge, a percentage of that is remitted to the town council. It has always been like that with the bridge act,” Solomon explained.
He said government’s removal of the toll in August 2025 left the LM&TC in the dark about funding arrangements. The absence of clarity and continued support, Solomon argued, has now resulted in danger to life, limb, and property following the partial collapse of the bridge on September 14, which left a young mother and her three-year-old child injured.
“The government’s continued refusal to engage and update the council in line with the bridge act… has led to the deterioration and collapse of the bridge,” Solomon asserted.
The Linden Mayor said rather than shifting blame, the government should be focused on ensuring public safety through proper maintenance and management of the structure.
“Here it is, an opportunity for central government and local government to work together, to ensure safety and usability by maintaining the bridge properly. That is the approach the Prime Minister should have taken,” Solomon stated.
Mayor Solomon is now appealing for an urgent meeting between local and central government to clarify responsibilities for the bridge’s management, funding, and long-term future.
“We would like to have the government’s clarity, as the Vice President himself suggested. The questions remain—will there be a committee? How will resources be generated? Who benefits, and how will it align with the Bridge Act?” he asked.
The collapse has reignited debate about infrastructure governance, transparency, and accountability in Linden and across Region 10.
