PNP wants OCG to probe scrap metal breach

Kimmo Matthews

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

THE Opposition People's National Party (PNP) yesterday called on the Office of the Contractor General to launch a full-scale investigation in recent breaches in the scrap metal industry following the Government's disclosure that at least eight companies were exporting scrap metal, despite a ban on the trade.

The Opposition, in a release yesterday, said it wanted part of the investigation to focus on the sale of scrap metal by the Jamaica Railway Corporation and/or any other government entity engaging in the trade as well as whether the proceeds of such sales were deposited in the public purse.

Allegations of backdoor trading, in spite of a ban placed on the industry in July, were raised on Thursday by opposition spokesman on Industry Anthony Hylton. At the time, the Industry Ministry said it knew of only two companies which were granted a special licence to export scrap.

But on Monday, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Christopher Tufton reported that a "breakdown" between the Customs Department and the Trade Board resulted in additional companies engaging in the trade.

"During our investigations, checks were made with Jamaica Customs Department. The ministry requested a list of all exporters/companies allowed to export scrap metal after September 16, 2011. Customs provided a list of eight companies. It is noted, however, that these companies did not obtain the requisite export permits from the Trade Board to export scrap metal. The ministry was, therefore, unaware of these export activities," the minister said in a release.

The minister said he has since ordered an investigation to determine the full extent of the breach.

But his explanation has not gone done well with the Opposition, which, in a press conference yesterday demanded that the Government immediately discontinue what it described as the "current surreptitious and illegal system of monthly facilitation of exporters in this prohibited industry".

It also called for Government to put in place a transparent and effective system after "appropriate consultations".

To voice their displeasure at the minister's disclosure, residents and dealers from Riverton Meadows took to the streets yesterday to protest what they said were "blatant disparities" in the system.

"We want some answers. We want an investigation to be carried out in this matter because something is not right," said one of the protesters.

The demonstration will continue today if nothing is done to address the matter, another warned.

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COMMENTS (18)

Anthony Johnson
11/3/2011

Part of the reason why Jamaica is so corrupt is because no one in high places ever gets locked up. The justice system is stink, rotten and dead. Just look at Kern Spencer's case. I live in the US and there is a lot of corruption but these guys are in Prison in the blink of an eye. You guys have cable, jus watch the show "american greed" and you see how many millionaires, billionaires and high rollers get locked up every year but in Jamaica its just the duttie trousers bwoy goes to jail. SHAME!

Jay Brown
11/3/2011

KW - People like you are why Jamaica cannot cross it. You promote divisiveness where none need exist.

K W
11/2/2011

Danville Walker knew about it. U dont see that he is know resigning from that post and going into politics has a JLP candidate.....lol. @Mister Green, well that true. However, JLP said they were 4 change so they shouldnt be coming with "but PNP did the same thing wen they were in power", thats just rubbish. Dont need that type of government in Ja. Change we say and if they dont stop with that statement they mite just lose the next election.

J L
11/2/2011

Yeah, send Christie on another dead-end fishing expedition, that will help break the quandry the pnp finds itself in with the various candidates lining up against them. It's clear that a very wide cross-section of the country do not want them back and they are clearly rattled. Christie will oblige them.

PL BOGLE
11/2/2011

People, this administration social and economic policy are not for the majority, but only for the selected few. Consumption pattern data provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica indicates a reduction in household expenditure across nearly all areas since 2008. The gov't policies are effective in suppressing the poor. As people struggles under the weight of rising food, electricity and other costs, Jamaican families across all socio-economic groups have entered survival mode. Give back the people their income!!!

gosford G
11/2/2011

Micky stewart, the reason why the pnp knows more about whats going on in the country than the govt. is that after 18+yrs of running the country into the ground the pnp still has moles hidden in every nook and cranny of the bureaucracy.

RED ANTS
11/2/2011

@Mickey Stewart...Do you think the JLP would tell us even if they know?people are trying to the give the impression JLP are angels which have no skeleton in their closet.Gregg Christie time to investigate again,we must know who are these companies and why the minister approved the license.we need to hear from the minister what he mean by custom department was embroiled in certain activities which is headed by the world knows who.observer you don't have to post it,we hear news from other media.

Melasante Daley
11/2/2011

What Danville Walker knew about this arrangement?

R- Cool
11/2/2011

First and Foremost all the parties involved in this ILLEGALITY of exportation of scrap metals, after a BANNED was inforce. They should all be FIRED from their positions and legal actions administrated. These companies should also be SHUT-DOWN for good. They violated the rules of the BANNED that was put in PLACE. Irrespective of which way this was attained=ILLEGALLY.
We are so RAMPANT with CRIMINALITY 360 degrees that whom are there to to TRUST anymore. Are we seeing what the RICH are DOING?

Mister Green
11/2/2011

@ micky Stewart.. opposing parties seem to know more..until they get into Jamica House.. remember Trafigura? remember Mannatt? It's the nature of our politics.

PL BOGLE
11/2/2011

I’m not surprised; the Government had an agenda for the scrap metal trade, they had no intention of stopping the trade, only to mislead the country to believe that there was a ban. No government in their right mind would ban an export trade when there’re limited resources for export. “Industry Ministry said it knew of only two companies which were granted a special license to export scrap” and there’s a ban? All those people who supported the scrap metal ban, how do you feel right now??

Stephen Edwards
11/2/2011

I don't believe this falls under the duties of the Office of the Contractor General. There is no explicit contract between the Government of Jamaica and any other party.

Micky Stewart
11/2/2011

1. Which eight companies trading?
2. If not from the Trade Board, where did they get permits?
3. how is it that the PNP seems to know everything that is going on in the country and the JLP(which is the government) does not?

Tajai Grant
11/2/2011

Mr. Minister u drop the ball on this one and someone must be held accountable by you. If you cant find anyone to be held accountable then I really hope the prime minister will see it fit to hold u accountable. Jamaica need to start seeing real change in how the country's affairs is been handled.

mango brains
11/2/2011

Will Minister Tufton take responsibility? He was happy to take all the praise for shutting the scrap metal trade down. Well what is the case when it turns out that some were still getting licences? Some he knew about... How dat go? And some he says he didn't know about... How dat go? Hmmmmm! This smells like the Riverton Dump.

Chuck Emanuel
11/2/2011

Let the chips fall where they may. Let us continue to ensure Integrity, Honesty, Probity, Uprightness, Transparency and Accountability in Governance and else where. Those who wish to hold on to corruption should know that this is a new era globally and people are sick and tired of this malady.

0o k
11/2/2011

Comrades Go To Bat For Their Eat-A-Food Constituents: This should be the correct headline.

Jay Brown
11/2/2011

You mean to tell me that NOT even scraps we can get right in this country.
Jamaicans I find are so corrupt that even if you were to allow duty free access to everything, 95% of Jamaicans would still try to beat the system.
What a lawless country, this is a place where nothing ever seems to work the way its designed due mainly to corrupt intent be the designer and a corrupt people.
It seems corruption is in Jamaicans DNA which is reflected in how the country is governed and in our daily lives

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PNP wants OCG to probe scrap metal breach