ZOOMLION SUPPORTS WASTE COLLECION EFFORTS (PAGE 29)

IN an effort to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the Northern Region, a waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, has developed a concept to actively involve assembly members in those areas in the collection of waste at their respective communities.
As part of the initiative, the management of Zoomlion has presented a sanitation truck with accessories such as a public address system for public education on proper sanitary practices to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA).
The vehicle, valued at $19,500 is on hire purchase, and would be paid for monthly in instalments within a period of five years.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the company, Mr Oscar Provencal, who made the presentation to the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, in Tamale, his company would be responsible for the servicing, repairs and the maintenance cost of the truck.
‘‘Zoomlion shall also provide GH¢4,200 monthly, towards the public education component of the project,’’ he said, adding that ‘‘the assembly shall only be responsible for the payment of the driver’s salary and the fuelling of the vehicle’’.
The PRO further explained that a special project account would be opened for the lodgement of all proceeds from the services of the truck that would be managed by a committee to be formed by each of the beneficiary assemblies.
Mr Provencal said the initiative would make assembly members identify with the overall efforts in waste management and, therefore, serve as agents of change in their areas.
Alhaji Idris underlined the importance of good hygiene, and called for both attitudinal and behavioural change towards waste disposal and management in the area.
He said the cost of treatment of diseases emanating from poor sanitation was high and, therefore, advised the people to rather invest their time in preventive measures to save cost and productive hours.
He commended the management of Zoomlion in the region for their immense contribution to waste management in the area, which he said, had improved over the years.
The Northern Regional Operations Supervisor of the Zoomlion, Prince Alhassan Baako, also appealed to the people to complement the efforts of his outfit by embarking on regular exercises to clean their immediate surroundings.