EPA Conducts Licensing Certification Training
…Environmental Evaluators
Cross-section of participants at the training
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia on Monday, May 28, 2018 commenced the 6th edition of the Environmental Evaluators Training Licensing Certification Program for independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Evaluators and representatives of line government ministries and agencies.
The ten-day 2018 Environmental Evaluators Training Licensing Certification Program, currently taking place in Congo Town, outside Monrovia is intended to equip independent consultants, large project developers and representatives of line government institutions with basic technical information and guidance required in the administration of ESIA.
The 6th Licensure Training would also provide technical knowledge to new independent evaluators, as well as upgrade the skills and renew the licenses of old independent evaluators.
The training which is being held in collaboration with the World Bank and Global Consultant Group, also seeks to ensure that independent consultants are conversant with the World Bank’s safeguard requirements, so that they don’t deviate from the bank and EPA’s standards in the preparation of safeguard instruments.
The World Bank is a key development partner currently financing projects in many sectors, including Agriculture, Energy, Forestry, Health and Roads.
The 2018 Environmental Evaluators Training Licensing Certification Program, which is being facilitated by two US based professors, Dr. B. K. Robertson and Dr. Morris Koffa, will help improved the capacities of independent evaluators in adequately screening various emerging projects and as well teach them how to develop a uniform reporting format, John K. Jallah, EPA Assistance Manager for ESIA disclosed in during the opening session.
Mr. Jallah noted that upon the completion of the training participants will be able to critically review a project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or comparable documents for completeness and adequacy.
According to him, participants will be able to prepare project brief, ESI, environmental management plan (EMP), audit report and other environmental documents through administrative and legal requirements and standards of professional practice.
Speaking at the opening of the training, EPA Chief Technical Advisor, Levi Z. Piah welcomed all participants and said the Licensing Certification training is held every two year for independent evaluators and representatives of line government ministries and agencies because environmental issue is dynamic.
Mr. Piah disclosed that Environmental Protection and Management Law enacted by the Government of Liberia in 2003 provide legal backing for the execution of the ESIA process.
According to him, independent evaluators are train every two year in the administration of the ESIA process to help the agency conduct environmental assessment of a proposed project and submit findings including potential impacts associated with the project and their mitigation options to EPA.
Also speaking, Dweh S. Boley, Managing Partner of Liberia Environmental Services, lauded EPA for the training and urged members of the Union of Environmental Professionals to take the training serious.