Linden town wants 60% of bridge money from NICIL to maintain infrastructure

(GINA) Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland told media operatives today that the town of Linden depends heavily on the money that is accrued from the Linden/Mckenzie Bridge. He said while it is not enough to maintain the damage to the infrastructure that takes place on a regular basis, it is much needed.

The mayor is of the view that 60 percent would be a fair amount to ask of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) to give to the township.

“Most of the finances would go back to or is under the control of NICIL, and that is something that needs to be discussed and be looked at because I believe for the years with Linden, who have been paying it dues for that bridge it’s about time that bill be covered or cleared so that it can be back in the hands of the people of Linden,” Mayor Holland explained.

Mayor Holland added that the benefits from the increase from NICIL will be more beneficial for the people of Linden. He added that the trucks and heavy-duty vehicles that cross the bridge every day are responsible for most of the damage to the infrastructure in Linden, and the revenue needs to be had to help develop Linden.

Mayor Holland explained that they have been in conversation with NICIL on the way forward. “So far we reach a stage where we are engaging NICIL; we’ve been meeting with them now on a monthly basis. We’ve pushed so far to have councillors on the committee that is managing so we are now more inside of what’s going on there,” Holland added.

The Township is in a debt of over $200M which was inherited and a bailout is needed, he said. “We are indebted to NIS, GRA and several persons and it is a monkey on our backs which we need to get off,” Holland stressed.