Government is working to ensure that the ban on the export of scrap metal is enforced to make ferrous metals available to feed the local industry.
This was made known by Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister for Trade and Industry in Parliament, on Tuesday.
He stated that a nine-member ferrous metal monitoring committee since its inauguration a year ago has reduced the problems that allow scrap dealers to aexport of the metals.
[contextly_sidebar id=”gjwIKwQcKR53wabcJih4zfKb7lKHjq3o”]Despite the law banning the export of scrap metals, L.I. 2201, 2013, that came into force in April 30, 2013, there is still an appetite for illegal export of the ferrous scraps and scrap metals.
Dr Spio-Garbrah said the committee, despite its short existence, had been able to curb illegal export of ferrous metals, but the Committee needed to do more to ensure total compliance with the law.
He stated that although smuggling is a problem for the government, his Ministry is optimistic that the committee, working in tandem with the relevant stakeholders, would be able to control illegal export of scrap metal and bring perpetrators to book.
The Minister said the committee intended adopting the Ivorian and Nigeria strategies that had ensured zero-export of scrap metals from those countries.
The committee is also expected to periodically visit scrap yards to inspect their facilities and to educate them on best practices.
The Sector Minister told the House that the committee was collaborating with the Millers Association to make provisions for foundries to process the cast iron which comes with scraps to prevent dealers from attempting to export them.
According to him, the committee is also working with the Millers Association to enable them to improve upon their pricing regime and payment terms to encourage scrap dealers to develop faith in the local market.
Source: GNA