Government assesses scrap-metal sites

THE MINISTRY of Industry, Investment and Commerce has said scrap-metal sites are being assessed to determine their suitability to operate as transitional sites until the government-approved central location is commissioned into service.

According to a release from the ministry yesterday, some 48 sites are being inspected by a team headed by the ministry and representatives of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, the Customs Department and the police.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton met with executives of the Scrap Metal Federation of Jamaica yesterday to continue the discussions on the conditions to restart the trade.

At a meeting with the minister and his team earlier this week, the federation proposed the use of more than one multi-user site, which they believe would expedite the process of restarting the trade in scrap metal. The ministry said the team will continue assessing the scrap-metal sites over the weekend and early next week.

Meeting next week

The ministry and the federation will meet late next week to review the findings and to further consider the federation's proposal. Thereafter, the ministry will determine whether any further adjustments to the regulations of the trade in scrap metals are necessary.

The export of scrap metal was partially banned last year because of the widespread theft of infrastructure materials from homes and businesses.

It is estimated that this practice has resulted in losses of more than $1 billion in the last four years.