Paynesville City -The Nakamu Sanitation Group (NSG) has accused the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) of violating the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at supporting sanitation efforts during the 2024/2025 National County Sports Meet.
Amos Nakamu, Executive Director of NSG, told the Daily Observer that the ministry failed to honor its commitments under the agreement, which was intended to ensure cleanliness at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex throughout the event.
NSG, a legally registered sanitation organization, was approached by Lincon Johnson of the MYS to clean specific areas of the stadium. According to Nakamu, Johnson initially promised the group office space and weekly waste disposal contracts, assuring them they would “definitely benefit” from the engagement. Nakamu, however, insisted that such arrangements be documented in writing, not just discussed informally via Viber.
Following this assurance, the sanitation group purchased work materials, brooms, shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes, cutlasses, and more, and mobilized a team of 53 workers to begin cleaning from Gate 15 to Gate 6, a section of the stadium described as “extremely filthy.” Though the discussions started as early as October 2024, the MOU was not officially signed until December.
NSG began operations on December 1, 2024, but their work was abruptly halted during the semi-final phase of the tournament. Nakamu said the group was informed that Youth and Sports Minister Hon. Cllr. Cole Bangalu had instructed that the cleaning operations be suspended until further notice.
He claimed efforts to reach the minister for clarification were unsuccessful. According to individuals close to the ministry, Minister Bangalu had assigned the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) to complete the sanitation work, effectively sidelining NSG.
Adding to the group’s grievances, Nakamu alleged that their storage area for materials was locked without notice. He claimed that the minister’s special assistant gave instructions for the keys to be handed over to a Chinese contractor believed to be overseeing the construction of an overhead bridge, and a yet-unnamed Liberian associate.
Furthermore, NSG emphasized that the signed MOU had financial implications. The agreement stipulated that the group would receive USD $150 weekly for waste removal, and the expenses incurred in acquiring materials would be reimbursed.
Nakamu is now calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to honor the terms of the agreement and engage in fair labor practices, stating that the group’s commitment and resources were unjustly disregarded.
In respond to the allegations, Oxford P. Brown, Director of Communication at the Ministry of Youth and Sport, confirmed that a MoU had indeed been signed between the ministry and the Nakamu Sanitation Group.
He added that efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
“I spoke with the Deputy Minister for Administration, and he assured me that the ministry is working on settling the issue,” Brown stated.
