The illegal removal and sale of public and other metal infrastructure, through the scrap metal trade, has been significantly curtailed, because of stringent measures that have been put in place.
This was noted by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, as he officially opened a new centralised scrap metal facility at 383 Spanish Town Road, in Kingston, on April 17.
The minister cited strategies that were put in place to eliminate what was seen as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law in respect to public property.
“There is a restriction on the export of irrigation pipes used in agriculture; railway lines; copper; I-beams; bridge (railings); manhole covers and sign posts. Special permits must be obtained from the minister in order to export these items. Customs and the police will be posted at all sites and there will be 100 per cent inspection of all containers,” Hylton said.
The minister pointed out that any exporter convicted of accepting stolen metal will face a fine of up to $2 million and will lose his or her export licence, adding that all exporters, dealers and persons who transport scrap metal, including the handcart operator, must be in possession of a licence or permit from the Trade Board.
Under the new regime, a clear distinction is made between industrial and non-industrial scrap metal and rigorous operating procedures have been designed to govern the trade.
Hylton said the scrap metal industry is poised to earn significant foreign exchange and provide well needed jobs.
“The systems we have in place are very good, but there is the human element which can render the system less than perfect. Therefore, all general scrap metal exporters will now have to export from one of only three centralised multi-user sites,” he emphasised.
Hylton commended the group of scrap metal exporters who combined their assets to establish the centralised facility.
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