The Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mrs. Doris Kwekwor Adjei, has announced that the company has deployed more than 2,000 sanitation personnel and heavy-duty equipment across the country to support the government’s two-day National General Clean-up Exercise following the recent floods that devastated parts of Accra and other regions.
The nationwide exercise was declared by President John Dramani Mahama as part of efforts to restore affected communities, prevent disease outbreaks, and improve environmental sanitation after torrential rains left several areas flooded, destroying properties and disrupting livelihoods.
Mrs. Adjei made the announcement while addressing journalists after touring several flood-affected communities in Accra, including Alajo, Accra New Town, Circle, and Odawna, where Zoomlion workers were actively engaged in clearing refuse, desilting drains, and disinfecting affected areas.
According to her, Zoomlion immediately responded to the President’s call by partnering with the government and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure that communities affected by the floods receive the necessary sanitation support.
“We have responded to the call of His Excellency the President and partnered with government and the MMDAs to clean Ghana and all the regions affected by the floods,” she said.
Mrs. Adjei described the situation in some of the communities, particularly Alajo, as devastating, stressing that urgent sanitation interventions were necessary to prevent possible outbreaks of diseases associated with flooding.
She disclosed that the company had deployed atomizers to fumigate affected communities while simultaneously undertaking extensive clean-up operations.
“We have deployed our equipment to fumigate the area because, as everyone knows, after floods there are serious public health risks. We want to ensure that fumigation is carried out to protect residents,” she explained.
The Managing Director revealed that the company’s response includes a wide range of equipment such as tractors, backhoes, compaction trucks, tricycles, shovels, brooms and other logistics needed to remove the enormous volumes of waste left behind by the floods.
“We have deployed 2,000 men on the ground together with tractors, backhoes, compaction trucks, tricycles, brooms, shovels and other equipment to support communities in this clean-up exercise,” she stated.
To facilitate efficient waste disposal, Mrs. Adjei said Zoomlion had opened its transfer stations and landfill facilities, including those at Atonsu, Mallam, Teshie and Kpone, to receive waste collected during the exercise.
She stressed that the company’s intervention was driven by its commitment to national development and public health.
“We are doing this because we are Ghanaians, and whatever affects us as Ghanaians requires a collective solution,” she remarked.
Despite the extensive deployment, Mrs. Adjei expressed concern over what she described as the poor attitude of some members of the public towards environmental cleanliness.
She observed that while Zoomlion workers, security personnel, media practitioners and volunteers were actively participating in the exercise, many residents remained onlookers instead of joining the clean-up.
“One major challenge is attitude. In many of the places we visited, people were simply standing by instead of participating. This exercise is for all of us. Every Ghanaian has a responsibility to clean their surroundings, desilt drains and keep their homes clean,” she urged.
She appealed to citizens to actively support the initiative, emphasizing that maintaining a clean environment should not be left to sanitation workers alone.
“Together we can keep Ghana clean, healthy and safe. This is the only environment we have, and we must protect it,” she added.
Responding to concerns about whether Zoomlion had the capacity to handle the huge volumes of waste generated by the floods, Mrs. Adjei clarified that the company would not be working alone.
She explained that other sanitation service providers under the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPAA) were equally participating in the nationwide exercise.
“Zoomlion is not the only sanitation contractor in the country. We all belong to ESPAA, and together we will work with government to ensure that the waste is cleared. This is a collective effort,” she said.
She further assured the public that with the equipment and personnel deployed, the waste generated during the exercise would be cleared within the two-day period.
“With the machinery we have on the ground, we are confident that we can clear the waste. We will work day and night throughout the two days to ensure the exercise succeeds,” she assured.
Mrs. Adjei also commended President John Dramani Mahama for initiating the nationwide clean-up campaign, describing the decision as timely and necessary in the aftermath of the floods.
She expressed sympathy to families, businesses and communities that suffered losses during the disaster.
“Our hearts and prayers go to all the citizens who have lost properties, livelihoods and businesses because of the floods,” she said.
When asked about the government’s cancellation of Zoomlion’s sanitation contract and whether the company hoped for a renewed partnership, Mrs. Adjei expressed optimism that the company would continue to collaborate with government in addressing Ghana’s sanitation challenges.
“We are looking forward to working together with government because we are Ghanaians, and Ghanaian challenges must and should be solved by Ghanaians,” she maintained.
By 1960news.com
