The Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce (CPLCC) is hopeful that the ban on the export of scrap metals would come to an end before the stipulated six-month period.
The recent ban has angered scrap iron workers and has even led to fiery protests as several stakeholders in the industry have voiced their disapproval against the decision by the Government to stop all exports.
But yesterday Mukesh Ramsingh, the president of the CPLCC said, “The situation with the scrap iron industry is very ticklish. We understand the fallout has left people on the breadline. Economic wise it is a lucrative business and some income is going to be lost. We are hoping that the association and the powers that be come to an amicable solution soon.”
The ban on exports was instituted in response to numerous thefts of copper wires including at State agencies namely TSTT and WASA.
Those thefts left consumers without telephone and internet services and in the case of WASA, several communities were left without a supply of water.
The cost ot repair the damage left after the thefts ranged in the millions.
However, Ramsingh added that at the chamber, “We are hoping that the six-month ban does not go the full six months.” Ramsingh spoke with Guardian Media on Sunday when the Couva Chamber held its family day at the Chamber’s Camden Road, Couva headquarters.
He said the last time the CPLCC held a similar event was more than two years ago before the pandemic. Ramsingh said the CPLCC would be getting back into several community activities. Some of Sunday’s events included a curry duck cookout competition, table tennis and cricket.
