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Metal thieves continue to wreak havoc on major public infrastructure despite Monday's announcement by the Government that a ban has been placed on the export of scrap metal.
Just hours after Commerce Minister Karl Samuda revealed the ban, thieves struck in Clarendon.
They made off with more than $5 million worth of copper and metal equipment from a National Irrigation Commission (NIC) supply system.
Chief Executive Officer of the NIC, Stanley Rampear, told RJR News that the break in at the control centre at the Milk River Pump Station took place about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
The incident occurred a few kilometres from the Colbeck Irrigation System which was also ravaged by scrap metal thieves last week.
Mr. Rampear says the latest theft of NIC equipment has had a major impact on farmers in Clarendon.
"Well this impact on about 150 acres of land which will be without water and also 30 to 40 farmers which would be connected to that system that will be affected," Mr. Rampear said.
A team from the NIC is to visit the site Tuesday.
Commerce Minister Karl Samuda has announced that as of Wednesday the export of all scrap metal will be prohibited, except for manufacturing companies which produce their own material for export.
The last time a ban was placed on the trade was in 2008.
The decision followed recent incidents in which substantial pieces from major installations were stolen by persons believed to be involved in the scrap metal trade.
And the National Irrigation Commission is to implement a new security plan aimed at reducing the theft of equipment from its supply stations.
Mr. Rampear says the agency is moving decisively to address the worsening problem.
"Well this will be an great expense but we have no choice in the matter, we can't allow this to continue, we can't allow the criminals to have the last say in this, we need to be proactive and safeguard our equipment so that the farming can go on," he said.
Meanwhile, losses incurred by state-run sugar factories as a result of the theft of equipment and infrastructure by metal thieves continue to pile up.
The affected factories are Bernard Lodge, Monymusk and Frome.
In recent months robbers have removed electrical pumps, motors, power lines, electrical wires as well as metal railings from the three entities.
Chief Operating Officer at the Monymusk Sugar Factory, John Gayle, says the initial estimate of loss is more than $80 million.
"$87 million dollars and climbing...between the three estates and that is only to repair the damages, it doesn't include the loss of production and the impact on operations. In one section of Monymusk and Bernard Lodge we had about 600 acres of cane without water because thieves in one night removed pumps and power lines, now we are losing four tonnes of cane per hectare we are taking $700 million from the loss in potential sugar," Mr. Gayle said.
Just hours after Commerce Minister Karl Samuda revealed the ban, thieves struck in Clarendon.
They made off with more than $5 million worth of copper and metal equipment from a National Irrigation Commission (NIC) supply system.
Chief Executive Officer of the NIC, Stanley Rampear, told RJR News that the break in at the control centre at the Milk River Pump Station took place about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
The incident occurred a few kilometres from the Colbeck Irrigation System which was also ravaged by scrap metal thieves last week.
Mr. Rampear says the latest theft of NIC equipment has had a major impact on farmers in Clarendon.
"Well this impact on about 150 acres of land which will be without water and also 30 to 40 farmers which would be connected to that system that will be affected," Mr. Rampear said.
A team from the NIC is to visit the site Tuesday.
Commerce Minister Karl Samuda has announced that as of Wednesday the export of all scrap metal will be prohibited, except for manufacturing companies which produce their own material for export.
The last time a ban was placed on the trade was in 2008.
The decision followed recent incidents in which substantial pieces from major installations were stolen by persons believed to be involved in the scrap metal trade.
And the National Irrigation Commission is to implement a new security plan aimed at reducing the theft of equipment from its supply stations.
Mr. Rampear says the agency is moving decisively to address the worsening problem.
"Well this will be an great expense but we have no choice in the matter, we can't allow this to continue, we can't allow the criminals to have the last say in this, we need to be proactive and safeguard our equipment so that the farming can go on," he said.
Meanwhile, losses incurred by state-run sugar factories as a result of the theft of equipment and infrastructure by metal thieves continue to pile up.
The affected factories are Bernard Lodge, Monymusk and Frome.
In recent months robbers have removed electrical pumps, motors, power lines, electrical wires as well as metal railings from the three entities.
Chief Operating Officer at the Monymusk Sugar Factory, John Gayle, says the initial estimate of loss is more than $80 million.
"$87 million dollars and climbing...between the three estates and that is only to repair the damages, it doesn't include the loss of production and the impact on operations. In one section of Monymusk and Bernard Lodge we had about 600 acres of cane without water because thieves in one night removed pumps and power lines, now we are losing four tonnes of cane per hectare we are taking $700 million from the loss in potential sugar," Mr. Gayle said.
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