Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure has alleged that a 2015 government fumigation contract was structured to benefit Zoomlion through 11 separate companies. Speaking in a recent presentation, he claimed all 11 entities were single-sourced and directly linked to the Jospong Group, Zoomlion’s parent company.
One of the companies, Meridian Waste Services Limited, was reportedly awarded a contract in June 2015 to fumigate the Tema area. According to Manasseh, the company was not legally registered at the time the contract was signed.
“This company was paid about seven million cedis to fumigate the Tema area,” Manasseh stated. He added that Zoomlion was behind all 11 firms listed in the fumigation deal.
Manasseh explained that his visit to the Registrar General’s Department revealed that all 11 companies listed as part of the contract belonged to the Jospong Group.
He explained that though they appeared to be different entities on paper, they can all be traced back to the Jospong Group.
The fumigation services were meant for districts where Zoomlion already had two existing contracts. This new contract, he noted, essentially created a third contract for the same service in the same areas.
No Evidence of Work Done by Zoomlion or Its Affiliates
Manasseh raised further concerns about the lack of evidence showing that any of the contracted work was carried out.
He said, despite these arrangements, investigations revealed that no fumigation activity could be confirmed in the assigned districts. According to him, the assemblies had no knowledge of the contracts, nor did they witness any fumigation work.
He also noted that the Ministry of Local Government failed to provide proof that the service was delivered.
When questioned about supervision, Zoomlion, through its lawyers, reportedly claimed the contract did not require them to be monitored.
