City holds consultation with scrap metal dealers

The Mayor and City Council met with members of the Guyana Scrap Metals Dealers Association (GSMDA) on Tuesday, and held discussions on the way forward, as the city moves to regularise scrap metal collectors.

During the meeting, Council received full support from the association, which is headed by Desmond Sears.

City Hall spokeswoman Debra Lewis explained to Stabroek News that the council is working to have the business regularised, and at the same time address the manner in which the collected metals are stored.

She stated that it has been brought to the council’s attention that storage areas have become breeding grounds for mosquitos and rodents. Further she pointed out, in many cases they have found scrap metal encroaching on parapets, and notices were served to such dealers.

Meanwhile, members of the GSMDA indicated that there has been a buildup of scrap metal since there was an effective ban on the trade in the country. They argued that once the ban is lifted, the accumulated scrap metal stockpiles will be reduced.

Desmond Sears, at the conclusion of the meeting told Stabroek News that the association was happy to be a part of the consultation.

“They are looking to put proper regulation in place. If city council can set out the guidelines for operating, they would be able to have control of collectors’ operations,” he pointed out.

During the consultation session, the association recommended that the Ministry of Business be also included in the process of regulating businesses operating in the trade.

“We believe we can have a collective approach with the Ministry of Business and Council, to ensure the trade is functioning the way it should be,” he opined.

In early February, it was announced that Cabinet had approved a temporary restart of the scrap metal trade, so that exporters can ship their existing stock over the next three months. A proposal had been taken to Cabinet by Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, in September, 2016.