| …dealers, taxi and minibus drivers against ideaThe Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is calling for a ban on used tyres. This was announced at a press conference at the Sophia Exhibition Complex on Wednesday, last.According to acting director, Evadnie Ennis, the bureau has been monitoring the importation of used tyres for the past ten years, and has seen the need for a ban to be implemented.Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai, said inspectors of the bureau are required to inspect each tyre that is imported, to ensure that they comply with the requisite national labelling and quality.He said that it is an uphill task to find personnel to inspect all the tyres being imported on a daily basis. In addition, the visual examination of tyres does not guarantee that the items are not defective.“You can only determine the defects if the tyre is placed on a rim and inflated. Visual inspection will not eliminate or guarantee the absence of any defect.”He said another problem is with the storage of the used tyres by dealers, since they tend to deteriorate much faster. Faulty tyres are rejected and subsequently destroyed (the side walls are cut). “There is a section in the legislation for dealers to sign a destruction certificate, and sometimes we do encounter difficulty, with dealers refusing to sign it.”Rai explained that the problem essentially arises when dealers are storing tyres in areas where they are exposed to the elements,Wholesale Air Jordan China, or there is moisture, since the chemical components of the tyres deteriorate much faster under such conditions.“Tyres can be inspected now and would pass the test,Alvin Kamara Jersey, but in another month or two down the line if the tyres are not properly stored they can be rendered defective…Many dealers would promise to address the concerns, but when a follow-up inspection is done it is found that the same non-conformity exists.”He disclosed that at the port of entry there is not enough space to inspect the tyres in the containers,Buffalo Bills Jerseys For Sale, and as such, containers are released to the warehouse for examination and sometimes the dealers sell a significant amount of the tyres before they are inspected by the GNBS.“When that happens the tyres have to be tracked down at different outlets, and there is not enough manpower to do that.”Adding that the bureau has received many complaints about the quality of tyres being imported,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Online, Rai pointed out that when a consumer purchases a new tyre, there is a warranty attached to that purchase. However, when a used tyre is bought there is no guarantee on its durability, which he emphasised, is unacceptable.Rai said that as of last year there were 58 used tyre dealers and 10 importers registered with the bureau. The official also pointed out that traffic ranks should take note of the tyres on vehicles, adding that the wear bar clearly indicates if there is need for a change.And Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David, expressed concerns about the environmental impact the importation and sale of used tyres have.“There are thousands of vehicles on our roadways today, and they carry four tyres at a time. The multiplying effect of having so many tyres quickly deteriorating causes a negative impact on our environment.“Used tyres sometimes block drains, roadsides, breeding of mosquitoes. However, new tyres last many years which will be changed less frequently.”Meanwhile, tyre dealers countrywide are of the opinion that the idea to ban used tyres is an illogical one since the majority of persons who shop for tyres cannot afford to purchase a new set for their vehicle.“The poor people will feel the squeeze. The UK tyres and the European used tyres are of a very good quality. The Chinese new tyres cannot outlast the used UK and European Tyres,” one dealer opined.Another dealer from the city said that the bureau is supposed to maintain the standards of the quality of used tyres that are imported.“If drivers are crying to buy used tyres for $3,000 what makes the GNBS feel that people will accept the banning of used tyres? You can ask any driver if they would buy four new tyres for their vehicle for over $70,000. Hardly anyone ever buys new tyres for their vehicle.”An East Bank Demerara tyre dealer also said that the Chinese new tyres cannot compare to the UK and European used tyres, since the latter is more durable for the type of roads and heat in Guyana. “Canada,China Jerseys Wholesale, America,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, England and other first world countries have not banned used tyres. Why would a poor country like Guyana try to ban used tyres. That would be one more step backward….I buy some Chinese tyres the other day and they blow out on the car…They ain’t even last long.”Taxi and bus drivers also said that they would not be purchasing new tyres for the vehicle since the used tyres last more than a year and no driver that works minibus or hire car would be buying new tyres for the vehicle that they drive. “There is no excuse that the GNBS can give we to say that they should ban used tyres. Ask anyone of them if they have four new tyres on their vehicle. They are looking for problems,” another tyre dealer said.(Rabindra Rooplall) |
