In a bid to address growing public interest and media discussions regarding its longstanding sanitation partnership with the Youth Employment Authority (YEA), Zoomlion Ghana Limited has issued a detailed statement clarifying its role, commitment, and challenges in the collaboration.
The company expressed its resolve to maintain transparency and reassure Ghanaians of its dedication to empowering the youth and fostering environmental sanitation across the country.
A Legacy of Sanitation and Youth Empowerment
Zoomlion’s partnership with the government began in 2006 under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), now rebranded as the YEA. This collaboration has evolved into the Youth in Sanitation Module, where YEA recruits young beneficiaries, and Zoomlion oversees their sanitation efforts nationwide.
“This initiative is not just about cleaning streets; it’s about giving thousands of young people meaningful employment opportunities while creating cleaner and healthier communities,” the company highlighted.
Breaking Down the Funding Structure
Zoomlion also took the opportunity to address misconceptions about the financial arrangements underpinning the program.
Each youth beneficiary is entitled to a monthly allocation of GHS 850, divided as follows:
GHS 258: Paid directly to the youth as an allowance.
GHS 592: Allocated for logistics, protective gear, training, and administrative expenses managed by Zoomlion.
The company stressed that the management fee is not profit but an operational necessity to cover costs such as training, deployment, and the provision of cleaning tools and equipment.
Zoomlion further noted its advocacy for increased allowances for beneficiaries, underscoring its commitment to improving the welfare of the youth engaged in the program.
Challenges: Delayed Government Payments
Despite its successes, Zoomlion revealed a pressing challenge: prolonged delays in government reimbursements.
The company, which is required to pre-finance payments to beneficiaries, disclosed that reimbursements, expected quarterly, have been delayed for over a year.
“This situation has placed a significant financial strain on our operations. We’ve even had to call for interest payments to cushion the losses incurred due to the delays,” the statement explained.
However, the company assured Ghanaians that operations remain uninterrupted, driven by a deep commitment to public service and environmental sustainability.
Nationwide Impact and Achievements
Zoomlion highlighted the transformative impact of its operations over the years, including:
The establishment of 36 waste treatment facilities, including 18 material recovery plants.
The creation of over 6,000 core jobs and employment for 30,000 tricycle riders.
Over 200,000 indirect jobs are generated along the sanitation value chain.
Additionally, the company emphasized its contributions to youth skills development, technological innovation, and environmental protection through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge solutions.
Looking forward: Transparency and Growth
Zoomlion reaffirmed its readiness to embrace reforms and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance the sanitation program’s efficiency.
“We are committed to being a transparent and accountable partner in national development. Together with the government and local communities, we will continue to create jobs and ensure a cleaner, greener, and healthier Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The company expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their unwavering support, pledging to uphold its mission of delivering lasting solutions for sanitation and youth empowerment.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
