PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ZOOMLION’S SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

The study sought to establish public perception of Zoomlion’s solid waste management services in the Tamale Metropolis. The study employed the case study research design in collecting and analyzing data from 150 respondents through the use of structured questionnaires and interview guides. The study established that there is marked improvement in waste management in the Tamale Metropolis by Zoomlion Ghana Limited. Significant proportions of respondents now dump their household waste in communal containers and waste-bins instead of using unapproved places like gutters and open spaces. In this regard, respondents had good impression about the activities of the company and were quite satisfied with their services in terms of provision of waste dumping containers, waste collection, clearing of heaps of waste and cleaning of all gutters of filth. Despite these achievements of the company, the study revealed that it had not been able to frequently collect waste as expected. Additionally, the study showed that the company lacked the needed equipment and logistics to effectively manage waste in the Metropolis. Key among them were: waste-bins, skip-trucks, compaction trucks, bulldozers and Roll on/Roll off trucks. The study therefore concluded that despite the inability of the company to regularly manage the city’s waste coupled with some other challenges, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, entrusted with the responsibility of providing waste management services in the Tamale Metropolis, had been able to deliver the services as expected to some extent and as such their services have been perceived by residents as good. The study therefore recommends the need for the company to procure the required equipment and logistics to help boost their operations in the area of waste management in the metropolis. This will help rid the metropolis of filth and enhance the company’s core mandate of green, clean and healthy communities.