Building a Better Jamaica

Gov't to hit scrap metal thieves hard
BY PATRICK FOSTER Observer writer fosterp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, July 18, 2008

INDUSTRY and Trade Minister Karl Samuda yesterday announced a proposed $2-million fine, up from $3,000, for the possession of stolen scrap metal and issued a stern warning to traders who intimidate customs officers inspecting scrap metal sites.

"Anyone found threatening an employee of the ministry will not be permitted to continue in the trade," Samuda said at a press conference at his office on St Lucia Avenue in Kingston.

"I will immediately instruct that that person is removed. I must see to it that law and order prevails in the country," Samuda said, adding that reports of threats against employees had reached his office.

"We are not going to yield to any threat of intimidation or any kind of threat," he warned.

Regarding the increased fine, Samuda said that a Cabinet submission will be prepared and the ministry's recommendation will be for a $2-million fine.

"It's that level of punishment that will be a deterrent to everyone who attempts to break the law," he declared. "They will be out of the business in a jiffy."

The minister, however, said that the majority of dealers were "legitimate business people" providing a service that clears communities of garbage, earns foreign exchange and creates jobs.

"It's a win/win situation if it is done in an organised fashion. It was never a system to punish legitimate traders," he emphasised. "We can't punish people who are legitimate because there are bad people in the trade."

Samuda stopped the lucrative scrap metal trade last month - the second time in eight months - following the resurgence of widespread metal theft and had promised to address operational issues before reopening the trade on July 15.

He said that since the trade resumed Tuesday, there were elements of misunderstanding regarding who was qualified to export scrap metal.

Yesterday, he disclosed that his ministry had set out to inspect 63 registered dealers and so far 50 have been visited.

According to Samuda, all registered dealers were now free to export but inspection of all the sites would take "some time" as there was a limit to the number of available customs officers. Scrap metal shipments have to be inspected by customs before being released for export.

Lamenting the shortage of customs officers, Samuda revealed that when he started reorganising the trade there were only six officers serving the entire island.

He said that Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker has since increased the cadre to 20 and trained new and existing officers regarding the identification of different metals.

The ministry now requires that all scrap metal sites be upgraded to accommodate customs officers, have security fencing and proper access.

"It must not be in an environment with perceived threats for officers," Samuda said.

"All of the traders have complied or are in the process of complying," he added.

He lauded the co-operation of the dealers, saying that all the costs for customs inspection and security were being borne by members of the scrap metal trade.

"It will not cost the taxpayers anything," he said. "They want to see the industry vibrant."