No need to panic over Zoomlion-YEA controversy - Parliament's Environment Committee Chair

Chairman Yaw Frimpong Addo of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology has called for calm. This follows recent issues with the Youth Employment Agency's (YEA) sanitation partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

He believes the controversy will not affect environmental sanitation efforts. His comments came after YEA Chief Executive Malik Basintale announced that their contract with Zoomlion would not be renewed in its current form.

Frimpong Addo stated that public information is inconsistent with reality. He emphasized the need for urgent stakeholder engagement to clarify the situation. He spoke after touring waste treatment plants operated by Jospong Group in four regions.

He noted, “There are news items claiming to come from YEA. That is not wholly true.” He urged people not to panic, stating it won't impact environmental sanitation work.

The Chairman mentioned that issues regarding YEA fall under Parliament's jurisdiction. The Committee will prioritize these matters in their report after assessing waste management firsthand.

He added, “If allocations need a second look, we will discuss it in our report.” This report will be presented in Parliament for debate among representatives.

Frimpong Addo stressed that claims of mass layoffs causing a crisis are exaggerated. He reassured the public that this issue is manageable within Parliament’s domain.

As MP for Manso Adubia, he highlighted government-private sector collaboration as vital for waste management challenges. “We must cooperate with private sector entities,” he said.

The Committee toured four regions: Ashanti, Western North, Bono, and Ahafo. They visited facilities like the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant and Integrated Recycling and Compost Plants in Sefwi Wiawso, Sunyani, and Goaso.