Published: July 11, 2025
MONROVIA — The Liberia Civil Society Organizations WASH Network has called on the Monrovia and Paynesville City Corporations to disqualify Ghanaian waste management firm Zoomlion Ghana Limited from participating in the ongoing bidding process for the Greater Monrovia Integrated Solid Waste Management and Infrastructure Development project.
In a strongly worded press statement issued July 7, the WASH Network raised serious concerns over the company’s track record in Ghana, citing multiple instances of alleged corruption, breach of contract, and labor rights violations.
“We are utterly dismayed and deeply concerned about the possible awarding of a lucrative solid waste management contract to Zoomlion Ghana Limited—a company with a history marred by corruption, poor labor practices, and failure to meet contractual obligations,” the statement read.
The group referenced a series of reports by Ghana’s Auditor-General and investigative media outlet The Fourth Estate, which found that Zoomlion had received more than GH¢40 million (approx. US$3.3 million) between 2017 and 2020 for services it allegedly failed to deliver. One report highlighted that Zoomlion was paid GH¢9.8 million without a contractual agreement and an additional GH¢30.5 million for work that was never executed.
In 2023, another audit report revealed that Zoomlion received full quarterly payments totaling GH¢291,812.50 from the Asutifi South District Assembly, despite failing to perform sanitation activities mandated by its agreement, such as disinfecting government apartments, health centers, and conducting public awareness campaigns.
The WASH Network warned that Liberia risks damaging its international credibility and jeopardizing future funding opportunities—particularly from institutions like the World Bank and International Finance Corporation—by partnering with a company previously debarred by the World Bank in 2013 for sanctionable misconduct.
“For a company that is facing significant scrutiny and has had waste management contracts terminated in Ghana due to payment delays and labor issues, it is troubling to see them considered for a major Liberian contract,” said George B. Karyah, Secretary General of the WASH CSOs Network.
The group also expressed concern over the firm’s labor record. In Ghana, hundreds of Zoomlion workers staged public protests in Accra, demanding seven months’ unpaid salaries, according to the Network. “Wielding placards stating ‘Zoomlion, no pay no work’ and ‘Pay us our arrears,’ the protestors highlighted systemic worker exploitation,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the importance of the government’s effort to improve integrated waste management in Monrovia and Paynesville, the WASH Network urged authorities to adopt a more transparent, inclusive approach.
The group called on the joint procurement committee overseeing the bid to immediately delist Zoomlion from consideration. It also recommended including civil society actors, especially from the WASH sector, on the evaluation committee to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair competition.
The WASH Network is currently reviewing the other two companies reportedly in the running, Carlson and GE-Environs, and pledged to disclose any similar concerns, if found.
“We further recommend the participation and shareholding of Liberian-owned companies in the waste management investment, alongside civil society groups focused on behavior change and information dissemination,” the statement concluded.
The CSOs reaffirmed their willingness to partner with both city governments on sustainable, inclusive solutions to Liberia’s growing solid waste challenges.
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