The Guyana Used Tyres Association says it will continue protesting for the government to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Mustaak Mohammed, a member of the group, said that they are fed up with the way in which they are being treated and are calling on the authorities to engage them in conversation.
“We had a press conference with our attorney Jerome Khan who de write a letter to the Minister [of Finance Winston Jordan] several weeks ago, but has since not received a response since, and we are calling on him or anybody to talk to us,” Mohammed said.
The man explained that the group and other persons that import used tyres are still confused about the specifics, and why they are allowed to import used tyres for lorries and other vehicles of that class, but cannot import tyres for cars, vans and vehicles of those classes.
“We want a meeting with him to know directly what he ban or what he ain’t ban, but he nah tell us nothing. It got more people in this country dealing with used tyres than new tyres and I don’t understand why they would even ban it, cause is them losing money,” Mohammed pointed out, while explaining that in any given year he pays almost $7 million in duty on imported used tyres, and given that there are some 40 persons that do the same, the government stands to lose a large amount of money in duty with the current ban.
“They losing out, and 95% of the people in this country using used tyres. So I don’t know what they doing. A man coming to me all the time and he nah ask me about new tyres, he asking about used ones because they can’t afford it. I ask he if he want new ones and he seh he can’t afford it,” Mohammed explained, while stating that from his years of experience of importing tyres, he can tell that the ones that are being imported are of way better quality than the new “Chinese made” ones that are being brought in and sold.
“And them brand names one? We nah got road for them. Them man working a minibus or taxi can’t afford to buy them tyres with these roads bruking them up all the time,” Mohammed said, while adding that he challenges the government to show that their claims that used tyres cause accidents.
Mohammed Yusuf, a taxi driver for over 50 years, also explained that during his half of a century driving, he has never had any bad experience with used tyres and that the Minister’s reasoning was faulty.
“I’ve been using used tyres all my life and I have never gotten a problem with them. I have two on right now and it’s been two years and they can go another two. What they saying about accidents is wrong. Rum, cellphones and speed cause accidents, not used tyres,” Yusuf said.
“So we are going to continue to protest and we going to do it again on Tuesday, in front of the State House because we need it to be changed,” Mohammed said.
The GRA, through a notice published in the Stabroek News edition of January 25, reminded importers that, as of April 1, 2017, used tyres for motor vehicles including motor cars, vans, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), pick-ups, buses and other similar vehicles would be restricted.
This restriction however, excludes heavy duty vehicles including trucks, lorries, vehicles used in the agricultural and industrial sector, and special purpose vehicles.
In keeping with Part II of the Second Schedule to the Customs Act (List of Restricted Imports), the GRA notice had stated that,” imported vehicles shall be fitted with new tyres including spare tyres, prior to clearance and release of such vehicles in a manner to be determined by the Commissioner-General.”
“The GRA is therefore advising vehicle importers to ensure that imported vehicles are fitted with new pneumatic tyres. No pardon or extension will be granted beyond April 1, 2017,” the notice had said.
Since the announcement by Jordan in 2016 of the government’s intention to bar the importation and use of used tyres locally, motorists have expressed mixed views.
While some welcomed the initiative based on the premise of used tyres being a contributing factor to vehicular accidents, others, particularly those in the used tyre industry have been outspoken against the proposal, claiming that the ban affects the employment of over 5000 youths in Guyana.
The government proposal resulted in the formation of the Used Tyres Associa-tion of Guyana, which, in several interviews with Stabroek News, has highlighted what they say have been countless futile attempts to engage the government and other relevant stakeholders on the issue.
