Government’s concerns about the illegality of scrap metal operations in Guyana were echoed by President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday when he met a number of dealers to decide on the regulations that will be needed for resumption of the trade. The meeting at the Office of the President was attended by Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Komal Ramnauth and Chief Executive Officer (designate) of GT&T Yog Mahadeo.
In April, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had slapped a suspension on all licencing and dealings in scrap metal of ferrous and non- ferrous materials after the reprimand on vandalism of metals went unheeded.
The Prime Minister’s actions followed several complaints about the act on various, private and state property and commercial building sites containing metal, such as the removal of installations from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) site at the Lama Conservancy, the pumping facility of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the rails around church yards and accessible burial grounds.
Ramnauth told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the scrap metal dealers were pleased with the news about the decision and have agreed to be more vigilant of their own operations.
He disclosed that there are at present 75 containers on the wharf which are subject to inspections by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Additionally, exports of materials accumulated in yards will be permitted on a weekly basis after full inspection from relevant parties such as the GT&T, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and Guyana Power and Light.
Ramnauth further explained that in the past such rules had been in existence, but were never carried out in a structured way.
The Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce has been tasked with providing details of the different phases under which the new scrap metal trade rules and regulations will be instituted.
The GCCI got involved in the process after stakeholders in the business sought the industry’s assistance to help resolve some of the problems they were experiencing.
At yesterday’s meeting, President Jagdeo also announced that all non-ferrous materials (such as copper) that were stored in containers during the time a two-year ban was instituted will also be inspected.
Prime Minister Hinds had previously instituted a ban effective January 1, 2007, following similar trends in illegal activities and subsequently the Old Metal Dealers’ Act was amended, granting government the authority over the scrap metal trade and to impose fines and criminal charges when necessary.  (GINA)