PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds, who oversees the operations of several public-interest sectors,  yesterday issued a statement indicating that there will be, in effect, a suspension on the sale of scrap (old) metal, therefore making this practice an illegal activity.
According to the statement, this firm approach to curb a problem that continues unabated, is due to an upsurge in vandalism of various articles, private and State property and commercial and building sites, containing metal.
Breaches of security have been found at locations across the coastland, including the removal of installations from National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) sites and the Lama Conservancy, the pumping facilities of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and rails around graves in church yards and accessible burial grounds.
Therefore, as a result of the disregard shown by scrap metal dealers towards previous requests made by the Prime Minister and other relevant authorities and as a precautionary measure in the best interest of the country, all licensing and dealings in scrap metal of all sorts, ferrous and non-ferrous, are suspended forthwith until further notice, the Government Information Agency said yesterday.