Investment –A local multi-million battery manufacturing company could soon shut down following scrap metal business ban announced recently.
President Uhuru Kenyatta recently announced that scrap metal business had been invaded by vandals who were on loose around the country hence need to stop export dealers and the trade for some time until the business is streamlined through appropriate laws.
Complaining about the effect of the ban, Associated Battery Manufacturers ABM Chief Executive officer Guy Jack said their battery recycling plant which was used to receiving 2,000 tonnes of lead per month sourced from used car and solar batteries can no longer operate normally after the ban orders.
“The plant has received next to nothing since the presidential directive was issued. ABM has invested well over Sh1 billion in the last three years, all riding on the back of secure raw material availability,” Mr Guy said.
He disclosed that county government and other enforcement agencies had misinterpreted president’s directive to mean stopping anybody in recycling business and dealership.
Mid last month, the President imposed a ban on exports and dealings in scrap metal, a move that left thousands of traders hard hit.
Uhuru put a moratorium on the export or the buying/selling of any scrap material until proper guidelines are put in place to regulate the sector which had been left to run business freely.
This lack of understanding was now spelling doom to the multi-billion shilling sector which also employs millions in the country.
Guy has urged government to follow the tenets of law by enforcing the Scrap Metals Act to control unscrupulous dealers and not just anybody in that sector.
