Zoomlion Ghana Limited has received assurances from John Oti Bless, the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, that the government will pay its overdue bill for the sanitation services rendered during the previous two years.
For its services during this time, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a division of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), has been owed GH¢1.2 billion.
On Wednesday, Mr. Oti Bless confirmed to reporters during a tour of the company’s Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku, Accra, that the Minister of Finance has promised to pay off all outstanding debt, including that owed to Zoomlion.
“About GH¢ 13 billion has been budgeted for this purpose. I trust the finance minister will fulfill this promise,” Mr Oti Bless revealed.
“We just visited one of his warehouses, where we saw a large number of imported tricycles meant for district assemblies. Unfortunately, he hasn’t received payments from the government for the past two years. How can a company function effectively without resources?,” he expressed of Zoomlion’s unpaid services.
The chairman encouraged Ghanaians to use Zoomlion’s services and praised the company’s inventiveness and productivity.
“This fight is about public health,” he stated. Insuring that his committee was dedicated to bringing about constructive change in Ghana’s sanitation sector, he said, “It’s not about us as individuals or political affiliations—it concerns every Ghanaian.”
Effective sanitary management, particularly in streets and communities, was demanded by Mr. Oti Bless.
He emphasized the necessity of public education initiatives, the enforcement of local bylaws, and a special sanitation fund.
According to Mr. Oti Bless, maintaining sanitation ought to be a daily requirement that calls for a specific financing source.
He recommended that 20 pesewas go to sanitation and the remaining 20 go to energy if 40 pesewas are being raised through the tax. Real change will result from this,” he suggested.
Additionally, Mr. Oti Bless emphasized the significance of public support and knowledge for sanitation initiatives.
“We need the media’s support for a nationwide public education campaign. We must ensure the enforcement of local bye-laws. Many district assemblies’ bye-laws are not gazetted, which renders them unenforceable,” he said.
Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, asked the committee to help Zoomlion by making sure that environmental and sanitation regulations are followed and that violators be brought to justice.
There is more to what we do here than merely cleaning. In addition to addressing cholera, environmental problems, and even tourism-related difficulties, we are also enhancing public health and sanitation facilities,” he stated.
Dr. Agyepong bemoaned the dearth of sufficient rewards and assistance for the crucial work being carried out in this field.
“The work we do often lacks the recognition it deserves, which is quite discouraging,” he said.
“Zoomlion can do even more for the country with the right support,” stated Dr. Agyepong. We can accomplish even more for the nation with your aid.
Source: newsthemegh.com