Presidency

H. E. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.

President of Liberia

H. E. Zegben J. K. Koung

Vice President of Liberia

Norway/World Bank donates Pick-ups, Motorbikes to EPA…for Sustainable Environmental Management

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Liberia Forest Sector Project has donated five Toyota twin cabin pick-ups and four Honda motorbikes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to ensure the sustainable management of the forest sector.

The Liberia Forest Sector Project is part of the Liberia forest program supported by the partnership established between the Government of Liberia and the Government of Norway with respect to the proposed forest sector investment and technical assistance project; support the renewal of rubber plantations and a results-based carbon payment operation for verified emission reductions that will pay for the emissions reductions and carbon.

The Liberia Forest Sector Project also seeks to support the following strengthened regulatory and institutional arrangements for implementation of REDD+, strengthened management of targeted forest landscapes, forest monitoring information system and project monitoring and management.

The vehicles and motorbikes were presented to EPA Executive Director, Anyaa Vohiri by that National Coordinator of Liberia’s REED+ project at brief ceremony on Monday, May 8, 2017 at EPA’s office in Sinkor. The ceremony attracted some senior staff including EPA Deputy Executive Director, Urias Goll, Assistant Manager of EPA’s ESIA Unit, Aloysius K. Kotee and Jerry Toe, Head Compliance and Enforcement.

 Saah A. David, Jr., National Coordinator of REED+ disclosed that the donation of the vehicles and motorbikes is intended to help the institution effectively monitor violation in the environment.

EPA is co-chair on Liberia Forest Sector Project.

 EPA’s mandate is to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity by implementing policy that ensures the long-term economic prosperity of Liberia through sustainable, social and economic development.

 Mr. David lauded some staff of the institution including EPA Executive Director Vohiri, Zeanah Mulbah, Z. Elijah Whapoe, Manager Planning and Policy for working tirelessly to ensure that the donation is possible. 

He cautioned the EPA to use the donated pick-ups and motorbikes for the intended purpose, because according to him, the proper used of the pick-ups and bikes would attract more donations from the Norwegian Government.

“This is just the beginning of the process; the Liberia Forest Sector Project has a lot in store, but it depend on how we make use of the first set and on the basic of that EPA being one of our key project implementing entity under the Liberia Forest Sector Project, stands to benefit not only in term of vehicles, but in human capacity development,” Mr. David assured.

He thanked EPA Boss Vohiri and her Deputy, Urias Goll for their leadership ability and said they at the Liberia Forest Sector Project would always count on them for their expertise.

Receiving keys to the vehicles and motorbikes, EPA Executive Director Vohiri on behalf of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Finance Minister, Boima Kamara lauded the FDA and Norwegian Government for the donation.

Finance Minister Kamara is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EPA.

 Madam Vohiri said that the donation of the vehicles and motorbikes is timely, because according to her EPA staff outside Montserrado County face serious challenged with transportation.

 She warned staff who would benefit from the donation against misusing the vehicles and motorcycles and cautioned them to use it in a responsible manner for the achievement of the Liberia Forest Sector Project.

“This is not a gift that we can use anyhow and anywhere, EPA role is to make sure that this project work and you have to put in your mind also that however you use these vehicles and motorbikes is for the success of this project and the success of EPA and Liberia,” she warned EPA employees.

She said it is very important that the FDA and the EPA work together and disclosed that she is happy over the partnership between the two institutions.

According to Madam Vohiri, the EPA remains committed to the sustainable management of the forest and said “the forest sector is a major part of the environment, which is supporting our economy development at the moment.”