Linden IMC Chairman highlights ‘untenable situations’ within township

Jul 03, 2009 News

Chairman of the Linden Interim Management Committee (IMC), Orrin Gordon, on Wednesday last, held a press briefing to highlight what he considers untenable situations within the municipality that need addressing.
One of those issues involves the toll booth at Kara Kara, where revenue is collected from owners of vehicles entering Linden to ply various products, and others that pass through the mining town with timber and other cargo.
According to Gordon, there is evidence of significant “leakage” at the toll booth, as monies collected in no way reflect the amount of traffic to and through Linden.
Gordon said that a security guard and clerk at the booth were fired after reports of clandestine actions.
The toll station should be collecting at least $100,000 per day, which would work out to as much as three million dollars ($3M) monthly but instead, is bringing in less than $500,000.
The IMC Chairman said that the Council had approached the Minister to have the toll booth privatized more than four years ago, but so far has gotten nowhere with the matter. He opined that with privatization, income could be significantly increased.
He also drew attention to the toll system at the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge where funds are also collected. He noted that from the money obtained at the toll booth at the bridge, 25 percent is given to the Mayor & Town Council (M&TC) while the remainder is placed into a maintenance fund, managed by the Linmine Secretariat.
Gordon reported that even though council only receives 25% of the profits from the bridge toll, the money is much more than is presently being obtained from the toll booth at Kara Kara, which has more traffic.
Council expects to receive approximately 22 million dollars annually from the municipal markets, but recently approximately 14 million dollars has been obtained yearly, Gordon noted. He added that of the revenue collected, 80 percent is used to pay wages and salaries.
BUILDING VIOLATIONS
The IMC Chairman said that a lot of buildings have been “springing up” all over the place, even though approval had not been granted for their erection. He noted that there is no need for these violations as the Linden municipality is most efficient in dealing with plans for buildings.
Equally alarming is the case where persons that have received permission to build do so, but violate the council’s rules by infringing on their reserves.
One case was cited where a businessman had “sequestered” council’s property without permission.
Gordon said that before the plan went to Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), it was seen by council and the violation duly noted.
The plan was subsequently rejected by CH&PA, and the businessman was told to deal with the matter at the council level, but so far this has not been done.
Gordon added that the building violations issue is a very thorny one, as a lot of structures are going up without the necessary compliance.
He lamented the fact that the law enforcement arm of the council is very weak, and as a consequence lawlessness is rampant, with persons flouting the rules with impunity. “You cannot sequester council’s property!” he charged.
Persons are being urged to build within the boundaries stipulated, or pay the consequences.
Non-compliance with stipulations would result in council taking perpetrators to court or having the structures dismantled, Gordon emphasized. (Enid Joaquin)

Latest News

Linden IMC Chairman highlights ‘untenable situations’ within township

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Reliance Hustlers delighted for Youth Programme support from First...

Relentless Chase demoralize West Dem’ to remain...

AAG makes history with US$300K Adidas sponsorship...

Historic NSC sponsored GGA 2nd Annual National...

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA...

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Features/Columnists

Teen arrested over uncle’s murder after sharing burial plan with relative

The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?

IMF report – cup half full, or a cup of Novocain

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Linden IMC Chairman highlights ‘untenable situations’ within township

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]