WATCH: Vaz pushing for suspension of scrap metal exports
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz, is advocating for the immediate suspension of copper exports in the country.
“I will be taking a letter to Minister Hill and I will be advocating for the immediate suspension of copper exports under the scrap metal industry,” Vaz said at a press conference staged by telecommunications company FLOW at the Courtleigh Hotel on Thursday.
His comments comes after a man was taken into police custody for being caught allegedly stealing cables belonging to FLOW along Hilcrest Avenue, St Andrew, in the wee hours on Thursday.
READ: Man held with $3million worth of Flow cables in St Andrew
“I’m saying that despite the fact that we’re about to go into the Christmas season, based on what has been presented here and the unequivocal evidence of the link between both is the patient of action and impatient of stemming this situation based on our conversation this morning,” Vaz said.
“I am confident that he too will have his ministry revise and come to a position that can be announced in short order. But, I believe strongly that that will send a very strong signal in relation to what we saw visually that took place this morning, which is reprehensible and unacceptable. And we find solutions and we will use government apparatus, government security forces and all the technologies we can use in relation to stem this,” he added.
He also noted that the Telecommunications Act is currently under revision and that the maximum sentence for theft or any other offences under the Act will be imposed.
“The Telecommunications Act is being revised and of course we will go to the maximum fines that are allowed in the Parish Court. I feel strongly that we have to take a look at this and see how we can encompass this as we also are looking at the Cyber Crimes Act,” Vaz said.
Vaz said that he remains committed to the telecommunication providers that are facing challenges and that this matter will be at the forefront of his ministry come January.