The following statement was issued by the Bahamas Information Service
“Nassau Bahamas – On July 27 the Government imposed a ninety day ban on the export of scrap metal and copper in response to the widespread theft of copper and various metals.
All legitimate Scrap Metal Dealers are invited to a meeting at the Port Department on Tuesday August 2, 2011 at 11 am. The purpose of the meeting is to agree to a process of certification to permit and accommodate the legitimate trade in scrap metals.
The public is reminded of why it was necessary for the government to take the action that it did.
ZNS lost its ability to broadcast to the Southern Bahamas for up to a month as a result of the loss of copper
BEC has had several generator trips due to stolen copper wire. Public life and private property were needlessly put at risk over the loss of copper wire used to ground electrical installations.
Businesses throughout the Bahamas have complained about the alarming losses due to stolen copper and other metals.
Boaters have complained about lost aluminium anchors and brass.
Water and Sewerage Corporation has lost countless manhole covers
Many subdivisions have had their infrastructure destroyed or delayed due to stolen manhole covers and metals.
The extent of the criminal side of this trade has been costly and disruptive to commerce throughout The Bahamas.
The public is also advised that some containers which were loaded and at the docks and which were certified not to contain copper were granted permission to leave the country.”
