– Millions of dollars in demurrage fees to be paid before shippers release containers on wharvesWith more than 90 containers of scrap metal being held up on the Georgetown wharves and the present Government ban on the industry,Cheap NFL Jerseys Supply, the Alliance For Change (AFC) spearheaded a peaceful protest to register the disapproval of the reactionary stoppage of the legitimate scrap metal trade yesterday.This peaceful picket was done outside of the Prime Minister’s office at Wight’s Lane, Kingston.Over the months, millions of dollars in demurrage fees have accrued and shippers have refused to handle the containers until the fees are paid.At the picketing some of the placards read; “Lives depend on legitimate scrap metal deal,”? “Scrap metal ban harmful to economy,” “Total ban an unwise option,”? “Legitimate scrap metal dealers condemn vandalism of public property.”Most of the protestors said that they had families to maintain and since the ban on scrap metals, their livelihood has been tremendously affected, especially when there are not many employment opportunities.The AFC submits that upon a proper examination for non-ferrous metals,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, the containers should be released for forthwith.According to presidential candidate for the Alliance for Change (AFC),NBA Jerseys China, Khemraj Ramjattan, the AFC believes that such actions by the government disregard the rights of legitimate business interest, an interest which inevitably contributes to the health of the economy.He said that it is not too late for the ill-advised misguided and reactionary approach of the Government to be reversed. “The AFC stands in solidarity with all legitimate scrap metal dealers and workers but strongly condemns those who indulge in illegal activities within the trade.”Noting that some member of the scrap metal trade may be culprits, Ramjattan said that the entire industry should not be closed simply because there are a few corrupt dealers.“It is like the analogy that you have some corrupt policeman so you close down the Police Force; it is something stupid.”“The majority of the members are legitimate and the industry ought to be reopened. Many families depend on the industry.”The Scrap metal association in April last had met with the Prime Minister on the resumption of the ban indicating its willingness to work in partnership with the administration.On this note, the AFC recalls that in 2010,China Jerseys, local scrap metal dealers who are members of the Guyana Scrap Metal Dealers Association (GSMDA) asked the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to properly account for a sum in the region of US$1 million reportedly paid to it over a period of time to finance a monitoring unit to inspect scrap metal prior to export.The then President of the Association,Nike Air Max 95 Cheap, Alfred Branche, said, “We were told of the need to set up the monitoring unit and were informed that exporters would have to finance that cost. It was agreed that exporters would pay US$125 per 20-foot container of scrap and US$150 per 40-foot container.”Officials from the AFC noted that they are mindful of the concerns entities such as GT&T, GWI, GUYSUCO and others whose property has been pillaged and vandalized to feed an illegal metal trade, but similarly posit that they must also not be unmindful of the livelihoods that have been disrupted by the closure of the legitimate scrap metal trade.It was further noted by the AFC that old metals can be classified as ferrous which relates to containing iron,CHeap NFL Jerseys China, and non-ferrous which includes copper and aluminium (the principal metals stolen from GT&T et al.)There already existed a ban on the non- ferrous metals which means that legitimate scrap metal dealers could not export such material. The AFC understands that non-ferrous metals were smuggled out through the porous borders areas with Venezuela and Brazil.The Guyana Metal Recyclers’ Association has informed the AFC that it is willing to work with the Guyana Police Force in arresting and prosecuting those who ply the illegal non-ferrous metal trade as well as those who encourage and participate in the vandalism of public and private property.This association has no authority to do policing work but must, and is prepared to work in partnership with law enforcement agencies.