Five months after the government’s plan to impose a ban on the importation of used tyres was announced in the national budget, several businessmen in the local used tyre industry have formed an association and started a petition opposing the ban.
President of the newly formed Guyana Used Tyre Association Allan Newark told Stabroek News that the association was formed in the light of the government’s lack of consultation with the relevant stakeholders on the issue, before announcing the intent to impose a ban.
So far, the association’s petition has managed to garner the support of more than 1,000 persons from Linden, Essequibo and Berbice, all of whom share similar views on the proposed ban.
The petition is expected to be presented to Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and the association hopes to be able to meet Finance Minister Winston Jordan for an opportunity to present its case.
“We would have liked to have been consulted by the minister like what is done with any other industry…. Why shouldn’t we be given a chance to voice our opinions and put our side to the story?” Newark questioned.
Meanwhile, he related that the association has a total of 35 members consisting of dealers, importers and retailers of used tyres across Guyana, who have expressed concern over the proposed ban. He said more persons are coming on board every day.
He explained that it would have been pertinent for the government to have consulted with stakeholders in the used tyre industry prior to the announcement in Parliament since he feels that they should have first addressed the lack of a standard requirement for tyres that are used on the roadway.
“This whole process has not been properly thought out… People need to be educated on the proper use of tyres. We just wanted a chance to voice our opinions before this was taken to parliament; we would like to have a level playing field,” he lamented.
Aside from that, he stated that the proposed ban takes away the consumers’ ability to choose as they would have no choice but to purchase new tyres for their vehicles.
Newark said that the ban, if implemented, stands to cost more than 5,000 youngsters employment since it is this very industry that offers them jobs through the many vulcanizing shops across the country.
“You’re telling us that you want us to buy new tyres but the roads aren’t being fixed, even if a person decides to buy a new tyre and it ends up being damaged by the bad roads, where are they supposed to find the money to replace the tyre? There are a whole set of processes that have not been looked at,” Newark related.
In his presentation of the 2016 budget earlier this year, Minister Jordan gave notice of intent to ban the importation of used tyres and to reduce taxes on new tyres to encourage their use as a measure in support of the government’s programme to develop a greener economy. This announcement had received mixed reactions from the general public.
Meanwhile in March, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) along with the Guyana Revenue Authority held an interactive session which facilitated a consultation with used tyre dealers and importers and other stakeholders.
The focus of this session was said to be “gathering suggestions for draft legislation regarding the proposed restriction on used tyre importation.”
