Audio By Carbonatix
Anti-corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem says the debarment of Zoomlion Limited from applying for contracts sponsored by the World Bank group in Liberia, is an embarrassment to Ghana as a country.
The company was cited in a World Bank report to have paid bribes to facilitate contract execution and processing of invoices in respect of an Emergency Monrovia Urban Sanitation (EMUS) project being financed by the World Bank.
The World Bank has consequently announced the suspension of the waste management giant which has its Headquarters in Ghana, from executing projects financed by the bank. Communication Manager at Zoomlion, Mr Robert Coleman said disciplinary action had been taken against the Ghanaian official who paid the bribes.
But speaking Monday on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Mr. Azeem said the fact that Zoomlion admitted to paying bribes to secure contracts in Liberia, means the company "allows and probably provides funds" for bribery. According to the Country Director for Ghana Integrity Initiative - global anti-corruption agency - the unnamed official who paid the bribe did not do so "from his personal pocket".
He insisted that, the World Bank must ensure that the Liberian government must ensure that proper action is taken against the officials who benefited from the bribe. He said the development lends credence to the fact that, that Zoolion may have been paying their way through to securing government contracts which he described as embarrassing to the leaders of the country coming on the heels of the 'dubious' manner in which Zoomlion is awarded government contracts .
"It is not just an embarrassment to Zoomlion, it is an embarrassment to this country and the leaders of this country who have awarded these contracts and who are refusing to terminate these contracts. "If they admitted doing it in Liberia...how sure are we that this has not been happening in this country? Do we know what is involved? Do we know the beneficiaries are," Mr. Azeem quizzed.
Latest Stories
-
Kwame Dadzie to host 6th Ghana Comedy Awards
30 minutes -
Prince Amoako Jnr scores as Nordsjaelland cruise past GAIS in Conference League qualifier
39 minutes -
Court ends 13-years amputee football dispute as high court rules in favour of NSA and NPC Ghana
1 hour -
Ellen Hagan’s charity gala raises support for Bible Society of Ghana, Nsoromma Programme
2 hours -
Government unveils support package for children of officials killed in helicopter crash
2 hours -
Access Bank partners with Points Africa to expand Rewards by Access loyalty programme
2 hours -
Trafficked Ghanaians should not be prosecuted for crimes they were forced to commit – Forum
2 hours -
Reuben Sackey: Has respect for the elderly gone on leave?
2 hours -
National conference on school indiscipline concludes with call for coordinated national action
2 hours -
Ghana civil society coalition to tackle transnational crime as trafficking forum warns of rising cyber scam exploitation
2 hours -
Asiedu Nketia urges stronger investment in research to drive Ghana’s economic transformation
3 hours -
Court of Appeal erred in acquitting Sedina Attionu — Alfred Tuah-Yeboah
3 hours -
REGSEC impounds 9 excavators as anti-galamsey operation intensifies in Obuasi
3 hours -
GHS and International Sickle Cell Centre sign 5-year MoU to strengthen national response to sickle cell disease
3 hours -
Ghana secures $35.5m housing financing as it moves to assess challenges with the sector
3 hours