General News of Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Source: GNA

Zoomlion to establish waste management institute

Cape Coast, Nov. 9, GNA - To groom the requisite human resource to effectively deal with the country's mounting environmental problems, Zoomlion Ghana Limited would soon establish an institute to train competent personnel to manage waste.

Mr Solomon Agyeman-Duah, a member of the communication team of the company gave the hint at a press briefing in Cape Coast, to highlight the activities of the company to the public and solicit the support of journalists to create awareness about environmental cleanliness. He said February 2011, the company would process and treat waste as greater percentage of the garbage generated in the country is bio-degradable and could be processed into compost.

Mr Agyeman-Duah said the school would admit students from within and outside the country to start from certificates to degree programmes. Zoomlion Company employs about 62,700 people including its core staff of 2,800 and personnel engaged in the Waste and Sanitation Model of the National Youth Employment Programme, which also attracts about 29,700 people.

Mr Agyeman-Duah said plans are afoot for the rolling out of new projects, which include the establishment of 300 tonne- capacity sorting and composing plant, which is expected to be operational by February next year and a large scale agricultural venture nationwide. He said the company has helped 20 basic schools in the region to form Zoomkids Club to help involve school pupils in the campaign to promote environmental cleanliness.

Mr Agyeman-Duah stressed the need for Ghanaians to change their poor attitudes towards environmental sanitation, which had resulted in filthy environments.

He said the company is facing challenges notable among them non-enforcement of assembly bye-laws on environmental sanitation, clients unwillingness to pay realistic charges and poor attitude towards the environment, especially along the beaches. Mr John Sackey, Acting Central Region Co-ordinator of Zoomlion Ghana Limited praised the media for its unflinching support for the company that had culminated in its enviable achievements in the past years.

He urged journalists to continue to offer its assistant to enable the company to chalk out more success in the quest to keep Ghana, the Sub-region and beyond, green, clean and healthy. 9 Nov. 10