-Threatens occupants
By Vaye A. Lepolu
The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has been warned by engineers that their current headquarters on 4th Street, Tubman Boulevard is unsafe and poses a threat to the occupants.
Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey K. Yarkpawolo has stated that the EPA has been occupying the building since 2003 and is now in search of a new office complex to relocate to. The EPA is actively seeking a new building complex with a signed lease agreement and the involvement of the General Services Agency (GSA) to facilitate the relocation process.
During a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Yarkpawolo also addressed the issue of illicit and unregulated black sand mining, which continues to degrade the environment. The EPA has identified locations such as Royesville in Montserrado County, Marshall Wetlands in Margibi County, and Rivercess County where black sand mining is taking place.
The cabinet has placed a ban on black sand mining due to the severe environmental damage it causes, and the EPA is working on conducting further research to formulate policies, guidelines, and regulations for sustainable harvesting of black sand.
In addition, the EPA is in the process of initiating an audit by the Internal Auditing Agency (IAA) to ensure transparency and accountability within the institution. As part of their 100-day deliverables, the EPA has established county offices in Rivercess, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Montserrado counties to decentralize environmental issues across Liberia.
The official launch of the 100-day deliverables will take place in Bentol, Montserrado County on May 3rd, 2024, and will be attended by county leadership, international organizations, and other stakeholders. Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the establishment of county offices is part of the EPA’s commitment to fulfilling its statutory mandate to protect and manage the environment.
