By Mark DaCosta- The recent decision by the government to allow non-stop bus-transit services to Brazil that bypass Linden has sparked concern among local leaders, particularly Linden’s mayor, Mr. Sharma Solomon. In a statement, Solomon argues that this move undermines the town’s potential to become a key economic hub in the country.
Linden sits at a critical geographical crossroads between Lethem and Georgetown. For years, there has been a call for better connectivity between these communities, which would open up significant opportunities for Linden. Yet, despite these calls, the government has seemingly overlooked the town’s potential in favour of a policy that bypasses it entirely.
Mayor Solomon expressed his concerns that rather than encouraging transit through Linden, the government’s approach of establishing direct routes to and from Brazil, without stopping in Linden, diminishes the town’s economic opportunities.
“Instead, the government has taken the unprecedented step of allowing nonstop transit services to pass through Linden, a practice that is not implemented anywhere else in Guyana,” Solomon said. This decision effectively deprives Linden of a chance to engage with the vital flow of goods and services, leaving the town as little more than a passing point rather than an active economic contributor.
The context for this decision stems from recent developments regarding cross-border transit between Guyana and Brazil. The Ministry of Home Affairs recently announced the establishment of three fixed bus routes as part of the Guyana/Brazil International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA).
The routes, which will facilitate travel between Lethem, Georgetown, and Brazil’s Boa Vista and Manaus, are seen as a critical step in fostering deeper regional integration. However, the key issue for Linden is that none of these routes will include the town, leading to a significant missed opportunity for local businesses.
The routes outlined by the Ministry of Home Affairs include two trips daily between Lethem and Boa Vista, a daily route from Lethem to Manaus, and a route between Georgetown and Boa Vista, running evvel per day. These routes were designed to streamline trade and travel between the two nations, but their impact on local communities along the way, particularly Linden, remains a contentious point.
In his statement, Mayor Solomon underscores how Linden’s role as a pivotal logistical and economic node could be strengthened with a more thoughtful and strategic transport policy. “[Including Linden as a stopping point in the bus-route] would have reinforced Linden’s position as a key economic and logistical junction, fostering increased economic activity and making the town a focal point for trade and commerce,” he argued. Solomon’s concerns reflect the broader frustration among Lindeners, who feel that their town has been overlooked in favour of other locations on the national agenda.
The issue surrounding Linden’s exclusion from these new bus routes has brought attention to a deeper, ongoing matter in Guyana. Linden, historically populated by a majority of African Guyanese, has long been a stronghold for the opposition People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR). In contrast, the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has largely drawn its support from the East Indian population. Against that backdrop, Guyanese are well aware of accusations of systemic discrimination against African Guyanese communities by the PPP.
For many, the decision to bypass Linden is not just a missed economic opportunity; it is also seen as part of a larger historical pattern of neglect. The PPP, which has faced criticism for favouring certain communities over others, is often accused of depriving African Guyanese regions like Linden of the resources and opportunities afforded to other parts of the country. This perception of racial and political discrimination has fueled tensions and further deepened divisions.
By excluding Linden from the new transport routes, many see the PPP’s actions as part of a long-standing pattern of marginalisation that undermines the prospects of African Guyanese communities. Critics argue that the policy sends a clear message that Linden and its people do not matter to the current PPP administration. If this trend continues, it risks exacerbating the economic and social inequalities that already exist between different ethnic and political groups in the country.
While the establishment of direct transit routes between Guyana and Brazil is a step forward for regional integration, it is equally important that Linden is not left behind in the process. Mayor Solomon’s plea for a rethink highlights the need for more inclusive and strategically planned development that considers the contributions of every region.