The government owes Zoomlion Ghana Limited an astounding GH¢1.2 billion for services rendered over the past two years, according to a startling admission made by the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA).
This information was disclosed by Minister Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim during his discussion on the problem of late payments to companies that are members of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA).
This was revealed by the Local Government Minister in an Accra interview with Adom TV.
The current government was deeply concerned about the debt, which he claimed was inherited from the Akufo-Addo administration.
In spite of this, he emphasized how crucial it is for the government and private trash management firms like Zoomlion to work together to address Ghana’s waste management issues.
“We are collaborating closely with Zoomlion to address waste management challenges in the country, particularly focusing on recycling plastic waste,” he noted.
While praising Zoomlion for its cutting-edge sanitation infrastructure, he emphasized the necessity for the government to establish strong alliances with commercial waste management companies.
Ahmed Ibrahim claims that Zoomlion’s significant investments in state-of-the-art solid and liquid waste treatment and recycling facilities around the country continue to be unmatched since the government lacks the infrastructure necessary to handle the waste (solid and liquid waste) produced on a daily basis in the cities.
“Zoomlion’s commitment to building advanced waste management systems across Ghana remains unparalleled,” Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed reiterated.
He acknowledged that the government lacked equivalent infrastructure and emphasized how vital it is for the public and private sectors to work together to address sanitation concerns.
The Minister emphasized Zoomlion’s broader responsibilities, which now include managing fecal waste in addition to rubbish collection.
He recalled previous procedures where feces were disposed of directly into the sea, posing health and environmental risks, and warned that if Zoomlion stopped operations, there would be a statewide sanitation disaster.
According to him, Zoomlion’s liquid waste recycling facilities now turn sewage into charcoal and compost, in compliance with a 2016 sea disposal prohibition that was started at the time by President Dramani Mahama.
Citing a cholera outbreak in coastal areas like as Cape Coast, Winneba, and Takoradi on October 24, 2023, Ahmed Ibrahim urged the government to give sanitation enough attention and to increase public education about the dangers of poor sanitation.
Source: newsthemegh.com