Traders want twisted iron bar ban deadline extended

By Geoffrey Mutegeki

Hardware traders in the Rwenzori region have asked government to extend the ban deadline imposed on the sale of twisted iron bars for at least three more months to save them from incurring losses.

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) banned the sale of twisted steel bars in May and gave traders up to July 1 to have sold out the stock.

During a consultative meeting held on Wednesday at Fort Fun City hotel, in Fort Portal town, UNBS’s head of testing departing John Okumu, revealed that the standards body wants ribbed steel bars that conform to the East African and Ugandan standards for steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete.

“We want twisted bars removed from the market. They are old fashioned and not good for construction especially this region which is prone to earthquakes.

He revealed that ribbed iron bars are strong and can hold concrete unlike twisted steel bars which are weaker and do not hold firmly binding wires leading to structural failures.

On the other hand ribbed steel bars hold binding wires more firmly and because they are not twisted, they are stronger and not prone to structural stress.

Participants during the UNBS meeting in Fort Portal. PHOTO/Geoffrey Mutegeki Araali

“Traders have up to July 1 to sale these iron bars. After that we shall be arresting all those who will be selling the twisted iron bars,” Okumu said

He added that for consumers who have purchased the twisted bars can go ahead and use them.

However during the meeting, traders who were drawn from all over the Rwenzori region asked government to lift the ban for three more months.

“We have already stocked the bars and its only few days to the deadline. What are we going to do with these bars? You all know it wasn’t our fault in the first place to buy these twisted bars,” said Micheal Nuwagaba, the manager Pride trading company hardware.

Dereck Kusemererwa, of Hardrock Investment challenged government to offer the traders sometime to save them the losses.

“You have just come to us with only 10 days to the deadline. Do you expect us to sell these iron bars in ten days and finish them? You should at least give us three more months to put ourselves in order,” Kusemererwa said.

David Tumusiime, a police officer in-charge of Kibito police post expressed the same concern.

“People need to be given sometime so that even when police comes in we shall be able to implement this law when all sides are satisfied,” Tumusiime said.

Eric Tusingwire wondered if it was easy to let the traders sell the banned iron bars in other countries.

In response, Okumu intimated to the traders that they would be helped by UNBS to be compensated by the manufacturers.

“We are here to seek views on how best we can phase out these twisted iron bars. If we find you need more time we shall give it to you; if it is to help you be compensated by the manufacturer we shall help you,” Okumu said

For one to be compensated, the trader has to write to the UNBS executive director with evidence that the iron bars were bought before the administrative guidelines were issued in May.

He revealed that UNBS is much interested in phasing out the twisted iron bars.

Kabarole District Police Commander (DPC) Geoffrey Kahebwa said the ban is good for the country because it will improve the safety of buildings.

“The introduction of ribbed bars will help save people’s lives and money.
Many buildings have collapsed killing people but now we have a solution let us embrace this as Ugandans,” Kahebwa said

He said police is ready to implement the ban when called upon.