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Government shuts down scrap metal industry
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
The Government has shut down the multi-million dollar scrap metal industry.
Industry and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda announced Tuesday that the move which comes into effect Wednesday will suspend exports of scrap metal indefinitely.
The shutdown will pave the way for the introduction of a licensing regime.
This is to be implemented before the export of scrap metal resumes.
In a statement to parliament Tuesday, Mr. Samuda served notice that an intensive investigation is to be undertaken throughout the industry.
While he was unable to provide specific figures in relation to the value of the industry, Mr. Samuda said it was in excess of US$200 million.
He said it had grown by more than 400 per cent over the past year.
The Minister warned of action against persons found with scrap metal who are not able to submit proof of ownership.
Mr. Samuda said the move was bring to an end the wide-scale corruption bedeviling the industry.
He declared that the theft of metal in Jamaica had become commonplace.
Asked to state the duration of the investigation, Mr. Samuda declared that the programme would last as long as it takes to clean up the industry.
In response to suggestions by Opposition members that this could have a negative effect on legitimate scrap metal exporters, Mr. Samuda insisted that the widespread nature of the problem demanded immediate attention.
Garbage collector convicted for scrapping JUTC bus
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
A 27-year-old employee of Minott Garbage Company was Tuesday convicted for his role in the lucrative scrap metal industry.
Phillip McLeod of a Trench Town address in Kingston was Tuesday slapped with a six month jail sentence in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to stealing a large quantity of metal from a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus.
It is reported that on October 15, Mr. McLeod was spotted by a security guard on the JUTC compound in Braeton, tossing a bag into a garbage unit.
The unit was searched by personnel from the bus company and a large quantity of scrap metal which was taken from a JUTC bus was found in the bag.
The scrap metal is said to be valued at $10,000.
Mr. McLeod was subsequently arrested and charged.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
The Government has shut down the multi-million dollar scrap metal industry.
Industry and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda announced Tuesday that the move which comes into effect Wednesday will suspend exports of scrap metal indefinitely.
The shutdown will pave the way for the introduction of a licensing regime.
This is to be implemented before the export of scrap metal resumes.
In a statement to parliament Tuesday, Mr. Samuda served notice that an intensive investigation is to be undertaken throughout the industry.
While he was unable to provide specific figures in relation to the value of the industry, Mr. Samuda said it was in excess of US$200 million.
He said it had grown by more than 400 per cent over the past year.
The Minister warned of action against persons found with scrap metal who are not able to submit proof of ownership.
Mr. Samuda said the move was bring to an end the wide-scale corruption bedeviling the industry.
He declared that the theft of metal in Jamaica had become commonplace.
Asked to state the duration of the investigation, Mr. Samuda declared that the programme would last as long as it takes to clean up the industry.
In response to suggestions by Opposition members that this could have a negative effect on legitimate scrap metal exporters, Mr. Samuda insisted that the widespread nature of the problem demanded immediate attention.
Garbage collector convicted for scrapping JUTC bus
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
A 27-year-old employee of Minott Garbage Company was Tuesday convicted for his role in the lucrative scrap metal industry.
Phillip McLeod of a Trench Town address in Kingston was Tuesday slapped with a six month jail sentence in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to stealing a large quantity of metal from a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus.
It is reported that on October 15, Mr. McLeod was spotted by a security guard on the JUTC compound in Braeton, tossing a bag into a garbage unit.
The unit was searched by personnel from the bus company and a large quantity of scrap metal which was taken from a JUTC bus was found in the bag.
The scrap metal is said to be valued at $10,000.
Mr. McLeod was subsequently arrested and charged.
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