The Chairman of Parliament’s Assurances Committee, Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul, has urged the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, to reconsider the decision to terminate Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s waste management contract, arguing that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) currently lack the capacity to assume full responsibility.

Mr Nitiwul, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, warned that ending the arrangement without a well-prepared alternative could worsen the country’s sanitation challenges.

He made the comments when the Local Government Minister appeared before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Wednesday, July 9.

Addressing the Minister, Mr Nitiwul said although empowering assemblies to manage waste services was important, they needed adequate time, resources and logistical support before taking over such a critical responsibility.

“You may have to review it because our assemblies are clearly not ready,” he said.

“They need to build their capacity before they can take over. The way the Zoomlion contract was stopped without an alternative is part of the problems we have,” he added.

The Committee Chairman urged the government to consider maintaining the existing arrangement while strengthening the capacity of the assemblies to eventually manage waste collection independently.

“So you should really look at that particular thing. So at least let them continue and build assemblies. And when the assemblies have their capacity, then they can take over,” he said.

Mr Nitiwul cautioned that failure to address the situation could create bigger sanitation challenges in the coming years.

“Otherwise, trust me, next year we’ll be here, and the situation will be worse,” he warned.

He expressed optimism that the concerns raised by members of the committee would be brought to the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for consideration.

“I’m sure the President will get that message from this committee, that they should really look at that,” he stated.

The Bimbilla MP further argued that the termination of the contract without a proper transition plan had proven problematic.

“There is no single person who has not realised that it was a mistake. And we’ll leave it at that,” he said.

He reiterated that the government should allow the current arrangement to continue while MMDAs are supported to develop the technical and logistical capacity needed to effectively manage waste collection.

The Assurances Committee of Parliament is responsible for tracking and ensuring the fulfilment of promises, undertakings and commitments made by ministers on the floor of Parliament.

The Committee forms part of Parliament’s oversight mechanisms aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and effective governance.