Cape coast: Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region have raised objections over the persistent deduction of Zoomlion Ghana Limited's fumigation fees directly from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), despite minimal or no evidence of the promised fumigation exercises. They explained that these deductions, often amounting to thousands of cedis per quarter, had left the Assemblies strapped for funds needed for essential services like road repairs, school infrastructure, and health initiatives.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Assemblies have officially lodged complaints about the practice with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, describing it as 'unfair,' but no significant action has been taken. The issue originated from a 2022 policy mandating source deductions to streamline payments for Zoomlion Company Limited, yet the MMDAs argue it lacks oversight mechanisms to verify service delivery.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a major player in waste management and sanitation under the Zoomlion Foundation, has held contracts with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for nationwide fumigation drives aimed at curbing diseases like cholera and malaria. Members of the Committee undertook a two-day working assessment of sanitation and water management services in selected Assemblies in the Central Region, which ended on Friday.
The Assemblies involved in the assessment included Mfantseman, Fosu, and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipalities, and the Cape Coast Metropolis. The tour was part of government efforts to strengthen interventions to reduce sanitation-related diseases and improve waste management and water supply quality in the country. It also served as part of the Committee's oversight responsibility to gather first-hand information on challenges confronting Assemblies in the water and sanitation sector.
Accompanying the delegation were officials from the Ghana Water Company Limited, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Zoomlion Company Limited, and other key stakeholders to respond to queries raised. Despite the concerns, the assemblies largely expressed satisfaction with Zoomlion's work on disinfection, contributing to safer public spaces.
Mr. John Oti Bless, MP for Nkwanta North and Chairman of the Committee, corroborated the Assemblies' concerns during a media briefing. He expressed reservations about Zoomlion's work across all visited Assemblies, noting that funds exceeding GHS100,000 had been unfairly deducted at source without corresponding work. Fumigation, which involves using gas or fumes to eliminate pests, had not been performed as stipulated in their contract, with disinfection taking place instead.
The Chairman reiterated the government's commitment to addressing sanitation and waste management challenges, emphasizing the need for accurate data from the Assemblies for effective solutions. He stressed that no one should be paid for services not rendered, particularly when taxpayers' money is involved.
Mr. Oti Bless urged residents to maintain clean surroundings, especially with the rainy season approaching, to prevent disease outbreaks linked to waste accumulation. On water and sanitation, he called for prioritizing water as a national security issue, addressing pollution from human activities, and collaborating with relevant ministries to mitigate disruptions from road construction.
A highlight of the tour was the delegation's visit to Zoomlion Company Limited's Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant at Mankessim, where they explored innovations in solid waste management. They also inspected the Sekyere Hemang Headworks, a crucial facility for potable water supply to Cape Coast and Elmina, gaining insights into ongoing upgrades to combat water scarcity.