–?? ?dealers warned against buying new materialGiven a slight reprieve by President Bharat Jagdeo, members of the Guyana Metal Recyclers Association (GMRA) have pledged to clean up the business and root out elements that are bent on vandalising properties.The association had met with the Head of State last Friday and successfully lobbied for the release of approximately 132 containers of cargo that were lying at the wharves for the past six months awaiting export.The President had also consented to the verification of approximately 15,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys China,000 tons of metal which are presently lying in the yards of the various authorized scrap metal dealers around the country.GMRA President Desmond Sears (left) with other members Joseph Bhaskarran (centre) and P.R Natram.However, according to President of the GMRA, Desmond Sears, the scrap metal trade has not been reopened.“There should be absolutely no purchasing of scrap metal,” Sears said.According to the GMRA president, of grave concern to the legitimate players in the industry is the extent of vandalism in the business, the need to curb it and for the dealers to engage in legitimate activities.GMRA member Joseph Bhaskarran said that the scrap metal industry is very vital to Guyana,China Jerseys Wholesale, employing directly 500 persons and 1200 persons indirectly. It rakes in approximately US$6M annually.Bhaskarran said that since the major industries in Guyana are centred around agriculture and mining,Cheap Jerseys Online, the scrap metal business is sustainable, and the association will do everything in its power to see the ban lifted.“We need to find a way to move the industry forward,” he told members of the media who had assembled at the association’s office on Waterloo Street.The GMRA members are scheduled to meet again with President Jagdeo and other government officials in another two weeks to work out the modalities of the trade,Asics Dynaflyte 2 Hombre, including identifying ways to root out vandalism, which was the main reason behind the temporary ban.Yesterday, they met with Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali who has been mandated to put in place an enforcement team which will work closely with the utility companies,Baker Mayfield Jersey, the GMRA and its inspectorate, and the Guyana Police Force,Cheap NFL Jerseys, to efficiently take the necessary action to deal with recalcitrant dealers.“The Minister placed strong emphasis on the effects the spate of vandalism has on government and private properties. There will be a no-nonsense approach by the Ministry. Exporters will have collective responsibility,” Sears said.Part of this responsibility involves the mandatory examination of all documents by the GMRA before a dealer could export scrap metal.“We are appealing to dealers not to buy items that are obviously obtained though vandalism. If a scrap metal dealer should be approached by someone who offers to sell metal that is obtained through vandalism, they should immediately inform the police,” Sears declared.He informed that items such as manhole covers are prohibited from being purchased.This newspaper also understands that yesterday the police intercepted a truck with suspicious metal cargo.Since the ban, scrap metal dealers have incurred losses which have run into millions of dollars.The GMRA President explained that for six months, containers on the wharves resulted in demurrage (penalty for cargo on wharves beyond a stipulated time) by shipping companies. Thankfully, this was negotiated to the benefit of the local scrap metal dealers.To move the industry forward, the GMRA has proposed that all exporters of scrap metal become licenced dealers by registering with the body.“Unlicenced yards will be shut down. Licenced yards must be engaged in best practices – properly fenced and no packing of metal on the parapet. There will be liaison between the GMRA, the Ministry enforcement team and the Guyana Police Force to effectively deal with elements who are determined to vandalise property,” the GMRA President stressed.