Scrap metal trade reopening worries JMA

President of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) Brian Pengelly is expressing concern about the government plans to reopen the scrap metal trade amid a resurgence in metal thefts.

Last month Industry and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton indicated that the trade, which was partially shut down last year, would be reopened shortly but with new regulations.

Pengelly says since that announcement he has seen evidence railings, manhole covers and signs going missing:

In the meantime, Hylton is expected to tell scrap metal dealers tomorrow, whether the government will accept their proposal to use regional loading sites as an interim measure to facilitate immediate resumption of the trade.

The dealers also want permission to resume work until the government finalises plans for the reopening of the trade.