Waste management giant Zoomlion Ghana Limited has issued a strong defense of its long-running contract with the Youth Employment Authority (YEA), clarifying key provisions of the agreement and addressing growing public scrutiny over its operations.
In a press statement released on April 30, the company explained that under the Youth in Sanitation Module, initiated in 2006 in partnership with the then-Ministry of Youth and Sports, Zoomlion’s role has been to manage and supervise youth beneficiaries recruited by the YEA for public sanitation work.
According to Zoomlion, each beneficiary is allocated GHS 850 per month, with GHS 258 paid directly as allowance and GHS 592 retained by Zoomlion for logistical support, protective gear, and supervision costs.
The company also revealed that it is required to pre-finance payments to beneficiaries with the expectation of reimbursement from government by the month following each quarter.
However, significant delays in government disbursements have forced the company to operate without payments for over a year, prompting a call for interest payments to mitigate financial losses.
“Zoomlion has consistently advocated for increments in beneficiary allowances and continues to submit detailed quarterly and annual reports to the YEA since 2008,” the statement said.
Despite the challenges, the company insists it remains committed to public sanitation and national development.