By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
The Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive yesterday warned that the Bahamas is serving as a “dumping ground” for vehicles that have been rejected as unsafe by other nations.
Edison Sumner said more than 17,000 vehicles are being exported to the Bahamas from Japan on an annual basis, despite concern over their “roadworthiness” and possible “radioactive contamination”.
Mr Sumner, who also serves as deputy chair of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ), told the Rotary Club of South East Nassau that the agency’s trip to Japan in January had assessed pre-export inspection processes for used vehicles shipped to the Bahamas. It focused on one vehicle testing company, EAA Company, to determine whether its facilities were compliant with International Standards Organisation (ISO) 1725 certification.
That trip sparked claims of a “conspiracy” to “squeeze the small man”’ and force Bahamians to purchase more expensive vehicles, claims Mr Sumner again sought to dispel yesterday. The delegation’s findings have never been publicised.
Mr Sumner argued that the Bahamas must improve its standards and “not just take anything pushed at us”. He explained: “We took a trip to Japan last year to examine the exporters of Japanese vehicles who send their vehicles to the Bahamas. We found out then there were over 17,000 vehicles being exported to the Bahamas on an annual basis.
“We went on an assembly line and were given the opportunity to see how they inspect these vehicles. One of the things we saw, that few people talk about, was that these vehicles - apart form their roadworthiness - are being tested for radio active contamination.
“A lot of people in this country, unfortunately, are driving around in cars with radio active contaminants in them because of the earthquake they had in Japan a few years ago near the industrial and nuclear plants,” said Mr Sumner. He was referring to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that resulted in a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in March 2011.
“A lot of that chemical got into these metals in these vehicles and is still there, and those cars are now driving on our streets because someone didn’t go through the proper channels to get them properly inspected, and some of the people who were inspecting the vehicles in Japan were not inspecting them for these kinds of elements,” the Chamber chief added.
“We saw some cars being pulled off the line that just didn’t meet the standard we would like to see in the Bahamas. We came back and said we need to improve our standards, and not just take everything pushed at us.”
Presently, the Bahamas has nothing to certify the roadworthiness of used vehicle imports, creating potential health and safety problems for consumers, and a potential environmental hazard from the wrecks dumped on New Providence’s roadside.
Buyers in such instances do not receive ‘value for money’, and the ‘saturated’ market created by the influx of used auto imports also depresses sales/prices and government revenue.
Comments
thephoenix562 6 years, 3 months ago
Bullshit.First of all radiation is not a chemical.Prove to me that radioactive cars are being sent to the Bahamas.Dont just say it prove it.Why are we Always talkig about cars from Japan.What about USA.Copart,iAA etc
John 6 years, 3 months ago
The biggest problem is those 'little gremlin' vehicles they sell over the internet for a few hundred dollars. Even the freight and customs duty is more than the vehicle. Then when the car arrives the owners drive it for a few months until it needs a part replaced and they learn that no parts are available. So they order another one, and then yet another. So money has to be spent disposing of these vehicles and they contribute to the import bill. But it appears that persons are realizing this 'ripoff' and are now purchasing more midsize vehicles from which they can get more utility, based on our road conditions. About the nuclear contamination..is there grounds for concern, then it should be investigated.
Franklyn 6 years, 3 months ago
(Radio Active Contaminated Vehicles)
Mr. Sumner is a cold faced lobbyist for a special interest group. Using his profession position to effect change that may be of personal benefit to a related sector who have come upon hard times of late. This disinformation about Japan (and its International Obligations) should be seen by Japanese Officials or interest as interference in International bilateral trading agreement that the Bahamas is a signatory to.
To refer to Japan as a single location is deliberate disinformation on Mr. Sumner’s part, knowing quite well that the Japanese Archipelago is made up of 4 main Islands: Hokkaido - Honshu - the largest island, on which the capital, Tokyo, is located. Shikoku - Kyushu –
But worse is to accuse the Japanese government of dumping (Radio Active Contaminated Vehicles) on the Bahamas this is a serious indictment by the CEO Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, on the Democratic People's Republic of Japan.
Cars are shipped from Nagoya, capital of Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with a population of Population: 7.263 million. Nagoya is a manufacturing and shipping hub in central Honshu.
One of the popular Japanese sites that export to the Bahamas clearly state on their site, the Japanese Government involvement in the inspection and radiation verification of all vehicles (which is the responsible thing to do)
All vehicles from Trust Company are Safe from Radiation We have been receiving inquiries from concerned customers about the radiation levels of our vehicles following the Fukushima nuclear accident of March 2011. While we understand our customers concerns on the subject, we would like to make clear that all our vehicles are tested for radiations before being uploaded on our website to ensure the safety of all people involved in the handling of our vehicles. To avoid any confusion concerning radiation levels, we decided to answer some basic questions our customers may have below. Questions and Answers about cars and radiation Q: Is there any radiation risk in the area where Trust Company is located? A: Local radiation levels here in Nagoya are normal. We are very far from the Fukushima nuclear plant where the incidents have occurred. Q: Are Trust Company vehicles inspected for radiation? A: All of our used vehicles from Japan are checked for radiation immediately when they enter our Yard (before we begin any preparations to upload the vehicle on the website). This inspection is done to ensure the total safety of our staff, of the personnel that handle the shipment and of the customers who receive the vehicles.
Q: Can you provide a document to certify that the vehicle is Radiation Safe? A: Upon request, we can arrange for a “Certification of Inspection and Radiological Safety Hazard” by JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center). The certification costs US$ 100.
affortableautos 6 years, 2 months ago
All this talk is just a smoke screen, how is it a group of people went to Japan and has yet to provide the Bahamian motorist a report of their findings. Local dealerships are only interested in finding ways to put the use car dealers out of business. How is it if the concern is about safety not one local auto repairer was invited on the trip to Japan.
affortableautos 6 years, 2 months ago
Wasn't Sumner a part of the delegation that has yet to provide a report from January to the Bahamian motorist. Japanese are loyal business people and it may very well be nothing was found on this trip, also who on this trip has any knowledge in radioactive materials. Is it Fred Albury the auto salesman representing the MDA or was it Mr. Sumner
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