By Chantalé Fletcher
PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Scrap Iron Dealers Association (TTSIDA) Allan Ferguson says no to the proposed six-month ban on the exportation of scrap iron.
But instead, he opted for a two or three-month ban on copper as it has created a problem which, he said, the Government has created.
This came after National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds announced the Government’s plan to stop acts of vandalism and theft at the nation’s utility providers at Friday’s national security press conference.
Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales had also revealed that $22 million had been spent to provide restoration works among the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC).
Speaking at a zoom conference on Monday, Ferguson called on the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowely to rethink his position and meet with the association.
Ferguson explained if the ban was to happen, this would affect citizens who depended on the industry to survive and provide for their families.
He said the removal of the scrap iron industry would place pressure on the Treasury as more persons would seek public assistance which the Government would have to finance.
Ferguson also said the business community would also be affected by this six-month ban.
He said, “If all of you agree with the government with this, this will create problems for business people, I’m telling you that. I don’t want it to happen but you remember how much crime is going on in this country, look how much thing is going on and all you want to add more to this.”
Ferguson called for the regularisation of the industry which would help alleviate theft.
As persons without licences have scrap yards and even criminals coming from off the streets and into the industry had contributed to the ongoing problems, he said.
However, he said that if the Government did not reposition their stance between Monday and Saturday, then the Association would have to take action.
