It Will Be Dangerous Not To Renew Zoomlion Contracts.... Says Parliamentary Committee Chair On Sanitation

MPs Inspect Zoomlion Facility in Kumasi

John Oti Bless, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, praised Zoomlion's investment in sanitation management. He noted that their facilities and plants are functioning well.

During a visit to the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) on April 23, 2025, he said there has been significant progress since 2000. This tour aimed to find ways to address the country's sanitation problems effectively.

Mr. Oti Bless expressed his admiration for the investments made by major companies like Zoomlion. However, he pointed out that challenges remain in implementing effective sanitation management in communities.

He emphasized the need for stronger action in streets and neighborhoods. After visiting ACARP and other facilities, he believed funding was a major constraint despite existing capacity.

The committee is working to resolve funding issues and ensure timely payments to service providers like Zoomlion. The government owes Zoomlion approximately 1.2 billion Ghana cedis.

Mr. Oti Bless is optimistic that the Finance Minister will clear these debts soon. He mentioned that about GHS 13 billion has been budgeted for this purpose.

He questioned how a company could operate effectively without resources after not receiving payments for two years. He also called for a dedicated sanitation fund and public education campaigns to improve accountability.

According to him, if a levy raises 40 pesewas, half should go towards sanitation efforts. His committee plans to collaborate with media outlets to raise public awareness about sanitation initiatives.

He stressed the importance of enforcing local bye-laws related to sanitation. Many district assemblies' bye-laws are not gazetted, making them unenforceable.

As an MP for Nkwanta North Constituency, Mr. Oti Bless commended Zoomlion's innovations in waste processing and furniture production. He urged Ghanaians to support local products from Zoomlion.

"This fight is about public health," he stated, emphasizing its importance for all Ghanaians. He assured that his committee is committed to improving Ghana's sanitation sector over the next four years.

"We have hit the ground running," he declared confidently.

Earlier, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, appealed for support from the committee. He urged them to enforce environmental bye-laws strictly and prosecute offenders who dump refuse indiscriminately.

Dr. Agyepong highlighted that their work goes beyond cleaning; it addresses cholera and environmental issues while improving public health infrastructure.

He stressed that a clean environment can significantly enhance people's lives but lamented inadequate recognition for their efforts in this sector.

One pressing issue he raised was taxes on essential equipment used by Zoomlion. "We request your assistance regarding these taxes," he said earnestly.

With proper support, Dr. Agyepong believes Zoomlion can achieve even more for Ghana’s sanitation needs.