Waste management company Zoomlion Ghana Limited has strongly denied allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s report concerning sanitation and vector control services provided during the 13th All African Games, describing the findings as “untrue” and a misrepresentation of facts.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the company rejected claims of duplicated labour charges, undefined service cost heads and the absence of itemised bills in invoices submitted for cleaning and vector control services rendered during the continental sporting event.
According to Zoomlion, the Auditor-General’s findings failed to distinguish between two separate service contracts — janitorial services and vector control operations — which the company said involved different personnel, equipment and operational schedules.
“The report wrongly mixes vector control services such as fogging and mosquito control with janitorial services involving daily cleaning, waste evacuation and toilet maintenance,” the statement said.
The company explained that vector control operations targeted mosquitoes, rodents, reptiles and cockroaches using specialised equipment, while janitorial services focused on cleaning stands, washrooms and public spaces at the various game venues.
Zoomlion further stated that labour costs appearing in both invoices reflected payments for personnel assigned to the distinct operations and should not be interpreted as duplication.
Addressing concerns over undefined “services” charges, the company maintained that all invoices were supported by contracts and service-level agreements detailing the scope of work, service frequencies, coverage areas and quality standards.
The sanitation firm said its operations covered more than 30 activities, including waste collection, mechanical sweeping, vacuum cleaning, disinfection, provision of mobile toilets, medical waste treatment and water supply services.
The company also disclosed that it deployed a wide range of equipment and logistics across four competition venues — the Accra Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Complex, Achimota Cricket Oval and Bukom Boxing Arena.
According to the statement, the equipment included compaction trucks, thermal foggers, floor scrubbing machines, mobile toilets, medical waste trucks and hundreds of colour-coded waste bins, alongside detergents, personal protective equipment and spraying chemicals.
Zoomlion insisted that all supporting documents, including contracts, invoices, service schedules and supervision logs, had been submitted to the Ministry of Sports and other relevant state agencies prior to the audit.
“The Auditor-General had every opportunity at the material time to review these documents and satisfy itself that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Zoomlion’s invoices,” the statement noted.
The company also highlighted the scale of its operations during the Games, stating that services ran continuously from March 1 to April 1, 2024, with 24-hour sanitation coverage provided through a shift system.
More than 350 personnel were reportedly trained at the Army Peace Operations Training School ahead of the Games in waste management, vector control, health and safety and conflict resolution.
Zoomlion added that waste segregation measures implemented during the Games contributed to reducing the event’s carbon footprint and noted that no sanitation-related disease outbreaks or operational failures were recorded during the period.
The company concluded by reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, accountability and integrity in all its operations.
Story By: Eric Boateng
