The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday reignited calls for the Government to prohibit the export of copper from the Bahamas charging that theft of the metal is destroying the commercial industry.

Making a contribution yesterday to the Derelict Motor Vehicles (Disposal) Amendment Bill 2013, Mr Miller said the government should get serious about the issue.

In 2011, widespread copper theft along with other metals led the then Ingraham administration to order a scrap metal ban for 90 days and the export of copper permanently. It was later lifted under more stringent terms which came in an amendment to the Customs Management Act.

Mr Miller said: “What is happening in this country with copper export is so damaging with the welfare of local enterprises in this country that something has to be done. We must stop the export of copper out of the Bahamas.

“And again, Mr Speaker, we are the only country that allows copper to be exported where it is not produced. It is killing the commercial sector in our country, these fellas are going into churches and stealing everything. BTC was just hit last week. Stop the export of copper. All you doing is letting these fellas wreck these enterprises in this country. 

“I am asking the government again, reconsider to ban the export of copper from the Bahamas.”

While Mr Miller remains passionate on the matter, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett said he has high hopes that the government will be able to control copper theft.

He said: “The tripartite arrangement between the Police, Customs and Department of Environment Health Inspectors as provided for in the law, if used as was intended would minimise the proliferation of such facilities and ensure that they are operated properly and lawfully.

“Scrap metal facilities must not and cannot be allowed to be used by those criminal elements in our society who wish to find a way to get rid of stolen vehicles, after the car has been stripped of all of its parts. This is a serious issue.”