Bahamas Auto Repair Association (BARA) President Dwaine Scavella is calling on the government to bring some clarification to its proposed ban on “wrecked” vehicles and on vehicles more than 10 years old. However, he fears his calls will remain unheeded before irreparable damage has been done.

“We have written to the prime minister directly, and we have not heard a response as yet to even have an audience with us to hear our concerns or put some of our concerns in place,” Scavella said.

During the last budget debate, the government introduced proposed legislation that would prohibit the importation of a vehicle or motorcycle that is 10 years or older, unless authorized by the minister for “environmental reasons”. A motor vehicle that has been wrecked and does not have a rebuild title would be prohibited from being imported, according to the Customs Management Amendment Bill, which was tabled in the House of Assembly in May.

Scavella said with the ban on “so-called wrecked” vehicles, the automotive industry is currently feeling the drawbacks. He claimed that because there have been mixed messages from several Cabinet ministers on the topic, there is currently no clarification and auto dealers are refusing to make a move.

“Auto sales dealers are now refusing to accept any funding from consumers because they don’t know what the situation is as far as what is being banned and what is not being banned,” said Scavella.

“We have heard some of the ministers say that it doesn’t mean that some people won’t be able to bring in some damaged vehicles.”

Scavella said because of this uncertainty the industry is beginning to decline.

“Nothing is moving right now. It has come to a standstill,” he said.

“One of the things that is definitely going to be a major factor in another week or two is the employment side of this situation.

“People are going to start losing their jobs, and that is going to add to what is already a high unemployment right now.

“We are hoping the government doesn’t continue to ignore this situation.”

The BARA president said shipping companies, mechanic shops, freelance workers and all other businesses that are affiliates to the industry are also feeling the negative impact of the ban.

“If they would sit and talk to us and let us know exactly and clearly what they are planning on doing, then we would be able to state our side of the situation and we would be able to bring some clarification on the things that they don’t know,” he said.

The ban is expected to take effect on September 1.

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