THERE is a well known Guyanese saying”when yuh doan wan hear, yuh gun feel.” This saying aptly applies to the decision, announced by the Prime Minister that the scrap iron trade will be suspended until further notice. Again, it was long in coming. Despite a temporary ban in 2007, because of the same incidents of vandalism.
These acts were somewhat confined and alarming at that time. Now, they have assumed threatening proportions. For private residences, state entities and disrespectful enough, the tombs, are being raided for their metal pieces. What an almost anarchical situation!
I can understand the usual howls of protests that will inevitably follow this suspension order but the operators have themselves to blame for they were warned, even after the lifting of the last suspension order, to regulate the mechanics of the trade.
I cannot condemn every dealer because there may be a few adhering to the rules. However, it is quite obvious that there is a substantial market for stolen metal.
I do believe that such a trade is extremely difficult to regulate, in terms of the source and some of the suppliers. Without pointing fingers, the ‘junkie’ source will not mind from where he gets his pieces. And certain types, such as tomb railings, ought to be identified easily and therefore rejected outright for purchase by the dealers. There are dealers, who it is said, are in league with these dubious suppliers. This errant lot can do much to minimise this criminality. But what guarantees for the future are there? Under the circumstances, the suspension is justified.