Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller said the increased cost of doing business associated with value-added tax (VAT) pales in comparison to the costs associated with copper and aluminum theft.

During the mid-year budget debate in the House of Assembly on Monday, Miller renewed his call for the government to place a permanent ban on the export of copper and aluminum. It is unfair and unconscionable for the government to continue to allow the exportation of copper knowing the goods are stolen from all the business entities in this country, including the churches and civic organizations, Miller said.

"You put up a house today and if you do not man that house every single hour of the night, you'll go back and every single piece of wire would be gone," he said. "And the people who are buying this copper know that it is stolen goods, they know that. We must bring a halt to this. It must stop.

"I am begging the government. Please stop the exportation of copper. Please stop it. You are ruining us. This 7.5 percent tax is pittance to what happens when you go to your store or your business place and turn on your lights and there is nothing to turn on. It is not them taking the wire; it is the replacement cost into the millions."

Miller said he is tired of being ignored on the issue. He said in his almost 40 years of being in business the problem is worse than it has ever been. He said to reinstall the copper stolen from Robin Hood will cost over $1.5 million.

On several occasions Miller has reported that the business was gutted of its copper. He asked the government to "please, for God's sake, give us a break". Prime Minister Perry Christie rose and asked Miller whether the special license copper exporters are required to obtain combined with the Department of Customs and Department of Environmental Health Services' inspection of goods is insufficient.

In response, Miller said, "That is such a farce.

"The fellows, who run these places, are going to say we are trying to run them out of business and the government is this and that. The point is they are fully aware that there is no production of copper and aluminum in our country. Where else are you going to get it from, except to steal it?"

Miller said despite additional security measures at BEC, copper thieves continue to cost the corporation millions of dollars per year. He said he would prefer to give them a $10,000 check per month to avoid the massive replacement costs.

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