Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s management has taken note of recent media reports citing the Auditor-General’s findings regarding purported labour charge duplication, vague “Services” cost heads, and the lack of itemised bills of quantities in invoices pertaining to cleaning and vector control services during the 13th African Games.
The corporation vehemently disputes these accusations, characterising them as false and predicated on a misreading of contractual distinctions, operational realities, and existing documentation that was given to the Auditor-General and pertinent governmental agencies at the relevant time.
According to Zoomlion, the Auditor-General’s report mistakenly mixes up two different service streams: janitorial cleaning services and vector control services.
Vector control operations, according to management, concentrated on pest management tasks like fogging, controlling mosquitoes, and treating rats, reptiles, and cockroaches with specialist tools and skilled workers.
On the other hand, daily cleaning tasks like waste collection, mopping, disinfection, toilet maintenance, and general event venue sanitation were covered by janitorial services.
The business underlined that the “labour” expenses shown in both sets of bills do not indicate duplication but rather represent distinct personnel deployments assigned to various contracts, schedules, and technical activities.
Zoomlion added that all invoices are backed by legally binding contracts and service level agreements that specify exactly what constitutes “Services.”
These consist of performance standards, coverage areas, and job frequencies.
The company reported that the services provided covered over thirty operational tasks, such as the daily emptying of colour-coded trash cans, mechanical sweeping, vacuuming, removing stains and cobwebs, providing sanitary consumables like soap and toilet paper, managing mobile toilets, treating medical waste, and providing water in addition to cesspit emptying.
Additionally, management made it clear that every piece of equipment and consumable used during the African Games was completely documented and traceable.
Compaction trucks, medical waste vehicles, vacuum cleaners, buffer machines, industrial floor scrubbers, thermal foggers, knapsack sprayers, mobile restrooms, personal protective equipment, and sanitation chemicals were among them.
The Accra Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Complex, Achimota Cricket Oval, and Bukom Trust Emporium were the four main locations where operations took place.
Zoomlion says that comprehensive line-item breakdowns of equipment deployment and usage are available and were provided to the appropriate authorities.
According to Zoomlion, the Ministry of Sports and other accountable state organisations in charge of the African Games received all pertinent paperwork, including contracts, invoices, service schedules, daily supervision logs, and equipment deployment records.
The business contends that the Auditor-General could have confirmed the accuracy and completeness of the bills against operational delivery as he had access to all necessary documents at the time of review.
The business further emphasised that from March 1st to April 1st, 2024, sanitation and vector control services were provided continuously, spanning 31 days of unbroken operations, including pre-Games preparations.
All locations received 24-hour service thanks to a coordinated shift schedule. Between February 4 and 24, 2024, more than 350 employees received training in waste management, vector control, occupational health and safety, and conflict resolution at the Army Peace Operations Training School.
Waste segregation procedures were put in place throughout the Games, according to Zoomlion, which helped to lessen the impact on the environment.
Additionally, it stated that no operational errors or illness outbreaks linked to poor sanitation were identified during the event time.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited vehemently disputes the accusations made in the Auditor-General’s conclusions that have been made public.
The company insists that all services provided during the 13th African Games were appropriately carried out, documented, and contractually justified. It asserts that it functions as a responsible corporate entity dedicated to high standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Source: newsthemegh.com