Scrap Iron Dealers Association Cited Huge Surge in Copper Theft

The association should not be blamed for incidents that involve theft of cable wire, scrap iron and any deaths in connection with such incidents in future, he added.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Scrap Iron Dealers Association has blamed the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) for the rapid rise in copper theft in the country. Such incidents have led to death of several people, it noted.

According to Allan Ferguson, President of the Association, TSST has continually refused to work in partnership with the scrap dealers to formulate a permanent solution to address the problem. This has led to growth of illegal scrap iron dealers in the country. The association should not be blamed for incidents that involve theft of cable wire, scrap iron and any deaths in connection with such incidents in future, he added.

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The association had written a letter to TSTT two months ago, asking about convening a meeting to discuss means to stop copper thefts. However, there has been no response until now, Ferguson noted. Furthermore, he called attention of the Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales towards his earlier request to introduce a legislation to regularise the sale and purchase of scrap iron.

Meantime, the association thanked the acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob for meeting its representatives in exploring joint actions that has resulted in preventing copper theft incidents to a certain extent.