FORTY-two containers of scrap metal already prepared for export when the trade was banned in June last have been cleared for shipment.This was disclosed by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman during a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency.
“It may be recalled that on June 15, 2015 the (former) Ministry of Housing suspended the scrap metal trade, and halted the operations of the scrap metal unit within that Ministry to facilitate a forensic audit. “At the time of suspension, 42 containers of scrap metal were on the wharves to be exported, and these containers are still there. Cabinet has, therefore, given, after careful consideration, the approval for the 42 containers for shipment out of Guyana,” he explained.
However, Trotman said that the shipment is a one-off transaction, and in no way signals a resumption of the scrap metal trade. The implications of the resumption of the trade will be examined by a special team to be set up by Cabinet.
The trade has had a number of interruptions under the former Ministry of Housing and Water following the theft of metal manhole covers from streets in Georgetown. The ban affects all dealers, legal or illegal.