Impure local steel threatens lives

Local factories are producing steel that does not conform to Saudi specifications and standards, laboratory tests have revealed.
Contractors have been purchasing sreel for prices as low as SR450 per ton without any consideration for peoples’ safety.
Abdulhamid Al-Barqawi, a steel dealer, said the Ministry of Commerce sets steel prices. “The price of steel is available on the ministry’s website,” said Al-Barqawi.
A new regulation made by the ministry has narrowed profit margins. As such, some factories are now looking for bigger gains by buying fake products at lower prices.
Rami Qasim, another dealer in steel and building material, said the gap between supply and demand has contributed to a rise in demand.
“Demand for large quantities of steel has increased thanks to enhanced support from the Real Estate Development Fund and the support provided to investment projects,” said Qasim.
He said many manufacturers resort to tampering with the raw material during processing, thus reducing its quality. “An ordinary consumer cannot detect fraudulent activity. Only lab tests can reveal the quality of steel.”
He said that impure steel is brittle. “The ratio of iron in cast steel would be less than sufficient,” he pointed out.
Fahd Al-Qahtani, a contractor, said that Saudi trademarks for specifications and standards are a must to maintain consumer confidence. “Saudi specifications are a globally recognized indication of quality, which has supported the Saudi export of steel.”
He said some supplies have been confiscated, but not enough to correct the stuation entirely. “The problem should be eradicated at the root, namely the factories that produce this kind of steel,” argued Al-Qahtani.
The Ministry of Commerce issued binding directions for using Saudi steel. The contracting process should include technical specifications that conform to international standards. In addition, Article 28 on public works stipulates that manufacturing material should conform to Saudi specifications.