Officials review scrap collection and trading
Officials reviewed scrap collection and trading regulations in Muscat Governorate last week. The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP), the Royal Oman Police and Muscat Municipality. The meeting was convened in response to the complaints by residents in several neighbourhoods about nuisance caused by collection of scrap by some unlicensed traders in trucks.
The meeting was headed by MOCIIP Director-general Mubarak bin Mohammed al Dohani The officials discussed environmental pollution from worn-out vehicles and unscientific management of scrap. The meeting comes within the framework of an effort to ensure the effective implementation of the regulation and provide a suitable environment for safe living for the residents of Muscat Governorate.
Regulations stipulate that a licence is needed to engage in scrap collection and handling activities, which must be renewed before expiry.
A licence fee of RO 305 is collected by the governorate at the time of application, including an application fee of RO 5. The licence renewal fee is RO 300. Additionally, the establishment must pass a technical audit to ensure environmental safeguards and conditions are met.
The penalty for operating a scrap dealership without a licence ranges from RO 50 and RO 500 which is doubled for a repeat violation. Scrap from which steel and copper is extracted can be collected and traded only in industrial zones.
The decision bans dealers from collecting and buying scrap from residential areas. A fine of RO 500 will be collected from dealers collecting scrap in residential areas and RO 100 for non-omanis in the profession.