Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
After Hurricane Beryl caused significant devastation in St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada in July, Scrap Iron Dealers Association of T&T president Allan Ferguson saw an opportunity for the local industry.
The association collaborated with government officials in St Vincent, Grenada, and Barbados and was tasked with removing damaged galvanised sheets and other scrap iron waste materials, which are now being sent to T&T for processing.
So far, the association has successfully imported three barges of material from St Vincent.
Ferguson proudly noted that the US Embassy reached out to his association for this initiative, emphasising that the operation was generating numerous employment opportunities, especially in the face of rising crime rates.
“This is about the third barge coming into the La Brea port. What this means for Trinidad and Tobago, with the amount of scrap coming in, is that it will create employment opportunities—not just for youths in that area, but also for those in La Brea.
“It’s not just St Vincent; it’s Grenada as well. We’ve also had conversations with the Prime Minister of Barbados and the Minister of Works regarding this initiative. We’re moving material from there too. About a week ago, I was in Grenada,” Ferguson said.
Scrap iron dealers in T&T have been fighting to stay open after the industry was shut down for several months. Now, after being asked to assist other regional countries, Ferguson said his members feel proud that their hard work in the sector has not been in vain.
“We see ourselves as one of the major organisations and industries in the Caribbean because of what’s happening, and I’m happy about it as the president of the Association. I feel proud that prime ministers and leaders from different countries are reaching out to us for assistance. I feel proud because it’s only when you’re doing good work that these things happen. If you weren’t doing good work, it might not happen. So, I feel proud that the region is coming together and calling on us to assist in removing all these metals from the area,” he said.
The association has already filled over five acres of material in La Brea, which is being prepared for shipment for recycling.