Monrovia – July 18 2025); Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County has raised strong objections to the Liberian Government’s plan to award a major national waste management contract to Zoomlion, a foreign-owned company currently operating in Ghana.
In a formal communication addressed to the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, the Senator called for legislative scrutiny and intervention to prevent the move.
Senator Snowe acknowledged the urgent need for efficient waste management services across major cities in Liberia, but cautioned that such a critical national decision must align with Liberia’s economic goals particularly the promotion of local ownership, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Awarding a multimillion-dollar contract to a foreign entity without meaningful engagement with capable Liberian-owned companies undermines our national interest, Senator Snowe stated.
According to him, such decision deprives thousands of Liberians of decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods during a time of economic uncertainty.
He also reminded his colleagues of the controversial track record of Zoomlion in Ghana, noting that the company has faced public scrutiny, including allegations of corruption, gross mismanagement, worker maltreatment and monopolistic practices.
Senator Snowe mentioned that, these issues prompted the Ghanaian government under President John Dramani Mahama to terminate Zoomlion’s contract, making way for local companies and more transparent service delivery.
The Senator further expressed concern that Zoomlion’s previous operations in Liberia ended amidst allegations of corruption and bribery, without contributing to capacity building or technical skills transfer for ordinary Liberians working in the waste management sector.
“It would be a critical mistake to re-engage a company that has been rejected in another West African country on ethical, economic, and nationalistic grounds. The Senate must not hand over such a vital public service to an entity with a deeply troubling track record, he warned.
Following the reading of his communication, the Senate Plenary voted to receive the communication and forward it to the relevant committees for further review and action.
