The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, John Oti Bless, has reassured Zoomlion Ghana Limited that the government will settle its outstanding debt for sanitation services provided over the past two years.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), has been owed to the tune of GH¢1.2 billion for its services during this period.
Speaking to journalists during a tour of the company’s Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku, Accra, on Wednesday, Mr Oti Bless affirmed that Minister of Finance, has pledged to clear outstanding debt, including those 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.
He expressed concern about Zoomlion’s unpaid services, saying, “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?”
The chairman commended Zoomlion’s innovation and productivity, and urged Ghanaians to patronise services of the company.
He said “this fight is about public health. It’s not about us as individuals or political affiliations—it concerns every Ghanaian,” he noted, giving the assurance that his committee was committed to delivering positive change in Ghana’s sanitation sector.
Mr Oti Bless called for effective management of sanitation, particularly in streets and communities.
He highlighted the need for a dedicated sanitation fund, public education campaigns, and enforcement of local bye-laws.
Mr Oti Bless said the management of sanitation should be a daily necessity that requires a dedicated source of funding.
He suggested that “If 40 pesewas is being raised through the levy, 20 pesewas should go to sanitation while the other 20 pesewas goes to energy. This will bring real change,” he recommended.
Mr Oti Bless also stressed the importance of public awareness and support 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.
The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, urged the committee to support Zoomlion by ensuring that sanitation and environmental bye-laws are implemented and offenders prosecuted.
“What we do here goes beyond just cleaning. We are tackling cholera, environmental issues, and even tourism-related concerns, all while improving public health and sanitation infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Agyepong lamented the lack of adequate incentives and support for the vital work being done in this sector.
“The work we do often lacks the recognition it deserves, which is quite discouraging,” he said.
Dr Agyepong said that with the right support “Zoomlion can do even more for the country. Your support can help us do even more for the country”.
BY TIMES REPORTER