In a move that has sparked outrage and criticism, the government has finally approved an $18 million grant for the Linden Mayor and Town Council after months of stalling, leaving the A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) opposition-controlled council struggling with significant delays in receiving much-needed funds. This delay, combined with recent comments from Minister Sonia Parag, has raised concerns about political interference and discriminatory practices in the distribution of resources to opposition-controlled municipalities.
The announcement was made during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday, where Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, confirmed that the $18 million grant was ready for upliftment, despite the council’s delays in submitting its work plan to the Ministry.
While the minister noted that the work plan submitted by the Linden Town Council was not deemed sufficiently beneficial to the people of Region 10, she said the funds would be disbursed regardless of the setbacks.
“The town clerk [of Linden] was informed that an $18 million grant would be given to the municipality,” Parag stated. “That $18 million cheque is to be uplifted and is already being processed through the Ministry of Finance.” Linden’s Town Clerk, Lennox Gasper, confirmed that he had been notified about the grant’s availability and vowed to uplift the cheque in the coming week.
However, the delay in securing the funds, along with the revisions requested to the council’s work plan, has led to accusations of political interference. The Linden Mayor and Town Council, which is controlled by the opposition APNU, has long accused the government of intentionally withholding support to undermine their governance. The delay in funding has had a direct impact on the council’s ability to execute vital projects, causing frustration among Linden’s residents.
Minister Parag’s statement that the municipality was initially requesting items like a minibus and a truck, which were deemed insufficiently beneficial, has only fueled suspicions of political bias. “They wanted a minibus and a truck,” Parag said, “We asked them to put a work plan in place that would be more beneficial to the community.” The minister went on to emphasise that the $18 million grant would still be provided, despite the delay.
The Linden Town Council has expressed its frustration at what it views as an intentional effort to hinder progress in the region, with accusations of the government withholding resources until it could dictate the terms of how they would be spent.
Furthermore, Minister Parag also highlighted the government’s other support for Region 10, such as the provision of a mini-excavator and the employment of 15 workers under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP). These gestures, though welcomed, are seen by many as attempts to placate critics and distract from the ongoing issue of political favouritism in resource distribution.
Additionally, the Minister reported that the remaining subvention for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council would be uplifted on Friday, reinforcing her message that no political bias has influenced the distribution of funds. However, many remain unconvinced, pointing out that APNU+AFC-controlled municipalities continue to experience delays in the disbursement of grants, while councils aligned with the ruling PPP/C appear to receive more prompt assistance.
“The subvention allocations have increased by 117 percent since 2020,” Parag boasted, noting that the total subvention for 2024 amounted to over $1 billion, which will be used for various infrastructure improvements across the country. Yet, the public perception remains that the government is using these funds as a tool for political leverage, rather than a genuine effort to support local governance.