To Safe D. Tweh From Erosion
By Alloycious David
The new Executive Director of Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Nathaniel T. Blama, Sr. has disclosed that a US$ 2.3 million has been secured to prevent D. Tweh Memorial High School from being washed away by the Atlantic Ocean.
The government owned high school in New Kru Town, Bushrod Island, is being threatened by the Atlantic Ocean which has washed away the school’s fence.
EPA Executive Director Blama disclosed that the agency, in partnership with UNDP, formulated a coastal defense project to address the erosion affecting the school.
“This project amounts to US$2.3 million. I am happy to inform you national stakeholders that the money is already in the country and we are working with the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy and the UNDP to have the project started in the next few weeks,” he told the launch of a National Adaptation Plans (NAPA) and Inception workshop in Monrovia on Monday.
The project, according to him, is being funded by the Global Environment Facility through the Least Development Countries Fund.
The NAPA formulation process started in 2015 and was led by EPA with assistance from the UNDP following stocktaking exercise and national stakeholder consultations, which cover major climate change sensitive sectors.
The aim of the project was to assist Liberia to reduce its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and resilience, and by facilitating the integration of climate change adaptation into development planning.
The program attracted several stakeholders including representatives from UNDP, Land, Mines and Energy, Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senate Committee Chairman of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Lofa County Senator George Tengbe, promised the Senate supports to the project.
Senator Tengbe blamed residents of Monrovia for flooding in the city, and said “it is difficult to control erosion, but we are the cause.”
He said many people are building in the swamp and on low lands in violation of the country’s environmental laws, and called on the EPA to enforce law regarding illegal construction on wetlands in the country to avoid flooding during raining season.