Those Who Cancelled Zoomlion Contract Must Answer for Flood Crisis – CEMSE Director

The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Benjamin Nsiah, has challenged decision-makers behind the cancellation of Zoomlion’s dredging contract to take responsibility if the move has contributed to worsening floods across the country.

Speaking on Ghana’s persistent flooding challenges via a zoom interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Mr. Nsiah argued that although the contract was terminated over a year ago, authorities have yet to provide a viable alternative capable of undertaking large-scale dredging and drain maintenance.

According to him, several factors have contributed to the country’s inability to effectively mobilize resources to prevent flooding, but the absence of a replacement arrangement following the cancellation of the Zoomlion contract remains a major concern.
“The Zoomlion cancellation was not needed because since one year ago there has not been any replacement or alternative,” he stated.

Mr. Nsiah noted that while Cabinet supported the decision to end the contract, no comprehensive strategy has emerged to fill the gap left behind.
He questioned whether the country is spending more on flood-related disasters than it would have spent maintaining regular dredging operations.
“If NADMO should tell us how much is spent on floods every year, you would prefer that Zoomlion continued to do the dredging,” he said.

The CEMSE Executive Director maintained that accountability must be at the center of public policy decisions, especially when those decisions have significant environmental and economic consequences.
“If these flood costs are higher than what was spent on the Zoomlion contract, then those who terminated the contract must be held responsible,” he stressed.

Taking a swipe at air pollution, Mr. Nsiah also raised concerns about worsening air pollution in urban centers, particularly Accra.
He explained that emissions from vehicles vary depending on the type of fuel used and the condition of vehicle engines, noting that fuels with high sulphur content contribute significantly to environmental pollution.

He further identified industrial waste, dust emissions from construction sites, and the burning of refuse at dumpsites as major sources of air pollution.
“Burning of waste, especially on refuse dumps, emits a lot of smoke and causes infections and other ailments,” he warned.

Mr. Nsiah added that environmental pollution continues to contribute to respiratory illnesses across the country and called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations.
He also cited Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU), the energy sector, and plastic pollution as some of the major contributors to environmental degradation, urging stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices to protect public health and the environment