Massive infrastructure rollout in Linden creating job opportunities for citizens – Edghill

– says Gov’t partnering with more local contractors on projects

As the countdown to the next General and Regional elections continues, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill is confident that the citizens are paying little heed to divisive messages from the opposition, noting that in the case of Linden (Region 10), persons are more interested in what opportunities are being made available.
During an appearance on a radio programme on Tuesday, Edghill highlighted the paradox that while the opposition will tell their supporters the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) did nothing for them, they are campaigning on the very roads that the PPP/C built upon returning to office.
“I saw a picture of the AFC (Alliance For Change) walking around Linden, sharing flyers. And it was quite amusing. Because a resident took their picture and said, they were walking on the PPP-built road, to come and tell us to vote for the AFC. They’ve never done the road for us. And they’re walking on the brand new, concrete road and telling us come and vote for the AFC. And that’s the reality of Linden.”
“Last time I sat here I told you; I ensured that Mr Norton had his road in Christianburg built. So, he’s going to go on that road and tell the people there, you know the PPP have never done anything for you. They’re going to drive the Linden/Soesdyke highway and say, the PPP has never done anything for you. Because that is their mindset.”

Edghill said that notwithstanding the opposition’s messages, significant numbers of people are paying attention to the unfolding development. According to him, with billions of dollars in road work to be done in the region, Lindeners are lining up to see what opportunities are there for them.
“As a matter of fact, I’m told that Linden probably got like 1000 contractors. The level of excitement I’m seeing is now, because nobody is listening to that narrative, nothing is happening. People are lining up to make sure that they participate. And we look at our contractors, whether big or small, as partners for development. Contracting is not a hustle. You’re getting involved as partners for development.”
Edghill also threw out a challenge to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) run town council, to account for tolls collected from the Wismar Bridge in Linden. Edghill urged the opposition to desist from obstructionist tactics when it comes to development in the region.
“There is money to be made, money that is collected from trucks. Let them name one kilometre of road, that they have used that money to pave or fix. Just one kilometre. Nicodoc is 1.3 kilometres. If they cared for the people of Linden and they didn’t want the people of Linden to die from dust and all the rest of it, tell the people of Linden since you have the toll bridge.”
“How much money you’ve collected from trucks, every truck carrying aggregate, lumber, people carrying cement into Linden, people moving blocks. Anybody would stop and pay a toll. Let them declare to Lindeners how much money they’ve collected on an annualised basis and what they’ve used the money to do,” Edghill further said.
The PPP/C Government has been investing billions of dollars in Region 10 as it upgrades various infrastructure throughout the region. Among the communities that have been benefitting from these crucial upgrades are Coomacka, Nottinghamshire, Canvas City, Green Valley, Blueberry Hill, Silvertown, Wismar, Christiansburg, One Mile, Amelia’s Ward, Half Mile, Retrieve and South Amelia’s Ward.
According to the Ministry of Public Works, these infrastructure works are aimed at improving connectivity for residents. And at present, the Ministry has been working with Linden residents to carry out weeding and cleaning operations to help mitigate flooding risks in the town.
The workers were hired under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Community Improvement Initiative Project (CIIP) initiative. Minister Edghill met with the new workers on Tuesday, along with the Ministry of Public Works’s CORE team and urged them to work diligently to ensure the success of the flood mitigation efforts.