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Possible crisis looms over ‘radioactive’ vehicles – businessman
“…officials disregarded warnings”
By Zena Henry
Prominent businessman, Roshan Khan, has joined sections of society in highlighting concerns over the possible importation of Japanese vehicles with high levels of radiation. The businessman has called on the government to play an earnest part in ascertaining and addressing the danger that lies with these automobiles.
Businessman
Roshan Khan
Khan said he was disappointed to know that after bringing the issue to several top government officials and even private persons, they disregarded the potential danger, saying that Guyana would not be endangered, because the source country would make the necessary checks before the vehicles are exported.
Khan charged, however, that the government and its agencies have failed the citizens by refusing to take a serious step towards addressing the matter. He chided the administration for what he said is a lax attitude towards what could turn out to be, “a serious environmental and health crisis.”
Khan noted that the government has to put in place the necessary apparatus that would detect the levels of radiation entering the country via these vehicles, and if it is not acceptable, then it must be returned to the source. “I don’t know why they are so hesitant to do the right thing.” Khan said, before opining that action, it would appear, is only taken after something serious has happened.
He continued that reports have shown that various countries have returned hundreds of contaminated vehicles, “yet Guyana refuses to see the danger.” He said that while the issue remains, Guyana’s disaster preparedness is not equipped to handle certain issues.
Khan said further that one must consider that from 2011 to now, it is possible that contaminated vehicles would have already made their way into the country, and persons may have already been exposed to radioactive materials.
“If vehicles are discarded by principled corporations, and then picked up by desperate business people, wishing to make a dollar at any cost, they buy or get the vehicles for next to nothing, cut them up and sell the parts to countries like ours, which are hungry for parts and for cheap vehicles.”
Khan believes that the Japanese government should be held responsible for contaminated vehicles being exported and they should thus establish systems to ensure polluted vehicles and parts are not exported around the world.
Persons and businesses importing vehicles and spare parts from Japan should make it a must to get legal disclaimers from the company, certifying that their items are not contaminated with radioactive waste, Khan opined.
He noted that hundreds of vehicles enter the country monthly and pointed to a rush by persons to own their own automobile because of a poor transportation system. He highlighted that commuters experience various difficulties in acquiring transportation to their respective destinations.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant leaked radioactive waste following the 2011 tsunami.
Government agencies have promised to inform the nation on any developments relating to the importation of Japanese vehicles with high levels of contamination. The Guyana Revenue Authority, the agency monitoring the importation of vehicles and the Health Ministry have both claimed that investigations will be launched into the matter. They have also highlighted the multi-agency effort required to tackle the issue.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that it has no policy regarding the specific issue. Concerned individuals and environmental organizations, including the Environmetal Community Health Organaisation (ECHO) have already registered their unease pertaining to the radioactive vehicles, and called on the government to pay more attention to the matter. GRA had stated in 2011 that it was sourcing equipment to detect radioactive vehicles. Several local auto dealers have already admitted that they have no way of determining whether they are importing harmful vehicles. They said that they depend on Japanese exporters to sell them safe vehicles.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant leaked radioactive waste following the March 2011 tsunami. Radiation is a chemical reaction. Unsafe levels can cause cancer and death.
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