MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, has announced that there has been no ban so far on the importation of used tyres into the country. He made this announcement during a press briefing held last week in his office at the Ministry of Tourism, South Road.
During the meeting, Minister Prashad pointed out that contrary to information released from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), there has been no conclusive evidence that used tyres contribute to road accidents.
“The consumers association and other non-governmental organisations are saying to me that the used tyres are substandard and defective, and they cause accidents on the road; but I have not got any scientific evidence, either from the police or any organization, to show that used tyres are actually causing more accidents,” he explained.
Earlier this month, the GNBS, during a press briefing at the Sophia Exhibition Complex, called for a ban on used tyres for several reasons, including the fact that their deterioration rate is much faster and there is no guarantee on their durability.
In this regard, Prashad explained that the ministry has received numerous complaints from private individuals and the various minibus associations expressing concerns over the recent statements made by the GNBS officials to ban the importation of used tyres.
In addition, he highlighted that the importers of tyres have been lobbying over the past few years to ban the importation of used tyres, while the persons who bring in used tyres are claiming that they are providing a service to the public.
He said, “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also concerned about that dumping of tyres from Europe and North America into countries like Guyana.”
Prashad pointed out too that the minibus associations are calling on his ministry to intervene and to discuss with the officials from the GNBS the possibility of withdrawing the proposed ban.
As to the implications of such action on the part of the GNBS, Minister Prashad stated, “They (minibus associations) are saying that they will be forced to buy new tyres which are very expensive and which may result in an increase in transportation cost.”
He reiterated that he is unaware of the claims that the used tyres being imported are of a substandard quality and noted that this is cause for concern.
“What we have is a series of people lobbying at the same time for different things which we have to deal with,” he emphasized.
Continuing, Prashad proposed having a meeting with the GNBS to address the increasing concerns over the proposed banning of used tyres.
Meanwhile, several minibus operators and used tyre dealers are saying that it is unfair for the GNBS to impose such a ban, since not everyone can afford to purchase new tyres for their vehicles.
“I think the idea is wrong, I am a bus owner and from the money I make on the road everyday, I barely have enough left for myself when I put in gas, I cannot afford new tyres as well,” lamented Orin Peters, operator of a route 41 minibus.
Noting the rising cost of new tyres, Godfrey Linton, owner of a small used tyre store, explained that if the ban is imposed many persons would be forced out of business.
He said, “This is the business that I am in and many people who cannot afford the new tyres come here to buy from me, so if they said we have to stop selling, what am I going to do and what will the poor man do,” he stressed.
Mr. Linton said that he is happy that the Minister Prashad is looking into the matter and pointed out that he remains hopeful that the ban will not be enforced.