Full Statement delivered by Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA at MICAT press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Monrovia
August 29, 2024

• Government Officials Present
• Non-Government Organizations including Civil Society
• My colleagues from the EPA
• The Press
• Ladies and Gentlemen
  I bring you greetings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia. The EPA under our leadership backed by the Board of Directors, the Policy Council and our President, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., promises to enforce the environmental laws of Liberia.
  Over the past few weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency has made several interventions to address trending environmental issues around the country. Today’s briefing will cover seven interventions:

1. Shutdown of China Union Company Iron ore mines in Bong Mines, Bong County
2. Shutdown of Grandma Mineral Water factory in Jacob’s Town, Paynesville
3. Investigation of earth vibration incident in Yegbedu Town, Lofa County
4. Disposal of a potent radio-active material at the JFK
5. The Cavalla River chemical spills
6. The Overuse of Mercury in Liberia waters.
7. Investigation into alleged water pollution along the Nyanfor river in Margibi County
8. Shutdown of China Union Company Iron ore mines in Bong Mines
   On 28 August 2024, the EPA shutdown China Union for several environmental violations including operation without an effluent discharge license, transportation of ores via the Bong Mines railway without an environmental mitigation plan, construction of a new processing plant without an environmental permit, construction of a medium tailings processing plant without environmental permit and unregulated discharge of tailings into the nearby wetland among others. These actions by China union violate several provisions of the Environmental protection and Management Law of Liberia including Sections 6, 15, 24, 27, 57,58, 105 and 112.
   Considering these grave violations, the EPA on 28 June communicated a ‘notice of violation’ and ‘fine action’ amounting to USD 120,000.00 to China Union. The company did not respond to the communication. On 8 August 2024, a second communication was sent requesting the company to comply with the ‘fine action’ and commence undertaking remedial actions. Despite these notices, China Union blatantly ignored the EPA warnings and continued to operate without any environmental permits, continuing its environmental degradation and pollution.
   In lieu of China Union’s persistent non-compliance with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, and its refusal to engage with the EPA, the operational activities of China Union was shut down on 28 August 2024 in adherence to Section 38 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act. This directive will remain in effect until full compliance is achieved and the identified environmental concerns are duly addressed. Any contravention of this closure mandate will result in legal actions as prescribed by the EPML.
   The EPA appreciates the Liberian National Police for supporting Inspectors of the EPA to enforce the closure order and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a clean, healthy, and safe environment for this and succeeding generations.
9. Shutdown of Grandma Mineral Water Factory in Jacob’s Town, Paynesville
   On 6 August 2024, the EPA, in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), shutdown the Grandma Mineral Water Factory in Jacob’s Town, Paynesville. This action followed a joint fact-finding initiative conducted from July 29 to August 2, 2024, revealing significant violations of environmental and public health standards.
   During the inspection, it was discovered that the Grandma Mineral Water Factory was operating without the necessary permits from both the EPA and NPHIL. Additionally, the facility was found to be unhygienic, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the water being produced.
   Laboratory analysis of the water from the facility showed that the water sold to the public was unsafe for human consumption. Given these findings, the EPA and NPHIL shut down the Grandma Mineral Water Factory to protect public health and ensure compliance to environmental and public health regulations.
   The EPA is committed to ensuring all sachet water production facilities in Liberia adhere to the highest safety and hygiene standards. We urge all water production companies to obtain the necessary permits and maintain proper sanitary conditions to safeguard public health.
10. Earth Vibration in Yegbedu Town, Foya District, Lofa County, Liberia
    The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the National Disaster Management Agency, completed an investigation into the recent earth vibrations in Yegbedu Town, Foya District, Lofa County. The assessment, which took place from August 14 to 17, 2024, was initiated in response to unexpected seismic activities experienced by the local population July 26 and intensified from August 8 onward.
    Historically regarded as stable in geologic terms, the region’s sudden vibrations caused significant alarm and disruption within the community. The investigation identified Yegbedu as a community with steep hills and a history of deforestation as critical factors that exacerbated the town’s vulnerability to landslides, soil erosion, and other ground movements.
    Key findings from the investigation indicate that while no immediate catastrophic damage was observed, the inherent instability of the terrain presents significant long-term risks to the community. Of particular concern are the ongoing vibrations, which, though not currently causing visible soil displacement or structural damage, have instilled widespread fear, leading to the displacement of approximately 70% of Yegbedu’s 2500 residents.
    In light of these findings, the investigative team has made the following recommendations:
    Relocation of Yegbedu Town: Due to the identified slope instability, the relocation of Yegbedu Town to a safer area is imperative to prevent potential future disasters.
    Further Geological Studies: Continuous monitoring and detailed mapping of fault lines are crucial to predict and mitigate future seismic events, not just in Yegbedu but in other similarly vulnerable regions.
    Enhanced Community Preparedness: It is vital to improve community awareness and preparedness for seismic events, especially among vulnerable populations, to ensure safety and swift response in case of emergencies.
    Strengthening Emergency Response: Local emergency responders require additional training, and clear communication protocols between relevant agencies must be established to handle any future seismic activities effectively.
11. Disposal of a potent radio-active material at the JFK
    Liberia became a member state to the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1962 and has consented to uphold and promote the objectives of the IAEA by promoting the peaceful use of Nuclear and radioactive materials for the protection of lives, properties and the environment.
    As part of her mandate under the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, Part IV Sections 44, 45 & 46, the Environmental Protection Agency has set up a regulatory framework for the control and use of radiation sources in Liberia.
    To support this effort, the EPA has embarked on extensive monitoring of facilities involved with the use of radiation sources in Liberia.
    The EPA, in May of this year embarked on a critical search and secure mission that bordered on public health safety and national security. The heroic nature with which the mission was executed has gained international recognition and it is only befitting to congratulate the gallant technicians of the Environmental Research and Radiation Safety Department of the EPA, the management of the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre, the Bureau of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United States Centre for Disease Control and the IAEA for the support and coordination.
    On 15 May 2024, the search team discovered a radiological source at the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre. Had the source not been managed promptly, it could have led to significant disruptions, adversely impacting hundreds of patients. The EPA reached out to the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre for assistance after our staff detected an unidentified radioactive source in the maintenance room at JFK. Our request for assistance was made under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, which sets out an international framework for co-operation among States Parties and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt support in the event of accidents or emergencies involving radiological material.
    The IAEA promptly developed an Assistance Action Plan (AAP) and deployed a Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team with the objective of identifying, securing and isolating the radioactive source. The radioactive source, which was identified as Cs-137, was traced back to a disused medical device, highlighting the need for proper handling and disposal of such materials in the country.
    During the mission, the IAEA team conducted a detailed radiation survey, confirmed the isotope, and safely removed the source from a stormwater sump in the hospital’s maintenance room. The source was then secured in a shielding container provided by the EPA with a protection rate of more than 90 percent (one of the best locally produced shielding containers in the world) and transported to a secured storage location. The team also completed a radiological survey of the area and was able to conclude that it was extremely unlikely that any person had been exposed to levels of radiation high enough to cause health problems.
    As a result of this mission, Liberia has moved speedily towards formalizing its commitment to six international treaties including the Early Notification and Assistance Conventions. The IAEA and EPA will continue to work together to define ways in which the IAEA can support to ensure that all radioactive sources in the country are used and disposed of safely and securely.
    As a testament to this commitment, the EPA, about two days ago, conducted a basic occupational radiation safety and protection training which sought to provide radiographers, from several medical facilities, some basic technical knowledge on the existing legal framework for the establishment of the regulatory control and use of radiation sources in Liberia and as well as to provide technical knowledge on various basic and operational safety principles to ensure the safety of radiation workers, patients, members of the public and our precious environment.
    As a mark of our commitment to a culture of safety for radiographers, patients and members of the public, the EPA, at the end of the one day training, provided Personal Radiation Dosimeters for each participant to monitor exposure levels at their workplaces. The Dosimeters were supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency under our Technical Cooperation Program. Exposure data from the Dosimeters will be periodically recorded by Radiation Protection Officers of the EPA and requisite advice or recommendations will be provided based on exposure levels. The EPA remains committed to ensuring a safe space where all activities involving the use of nuclear and radiation materials are conducted with the highest degree of safety.
12. Cavalla River Chemical Spill
    On 23 June 2024, a tailings valve ruptured at Edeavour Mining Plc in Ivory Coast, releasing about 3000 Liters (793 gallons) of toxic mud containing sodium cyanide into the Cavalla River-a shared water basin with Liberia.
    According to the Ivorian Ministry of Environment, the incident at Endeavour’s Ity Gold Mines resulted in the death of some fish species and residents showed symptoms of vomiting, headache and diarrhea. This information was published by Bloomberg news on 3 July 2024. Regrettably, the Ivorian authorities did not notify their Liberian counterparts of the situation up to 16 July 2024, when the office of Maryland Superintendent forwarded an email to the EPA county office, notifying the inspectors about the spill event.
    This late notification violates Principle 18 of the Rio Convention which opines that states shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of those States.
    Meanwhile, the EPA moved swiftly to inform line ministries, agencies and commissions whose functions are related to the management of water resources and associated risks. The institutions informed were National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of National Defense (MoD), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
    A joint monitoring team was commissioned on 25 July 2024 to assess the water resources in Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties-since both counties share the lower basin of the Cavalla River with Ivory Coast. The joint monitoring team was also mandated to dissuade the public from consuming dead fish and animals from the river and its tributaries. Additionally, the public was advised to avoid drinking water from the river and its tributaries and to visit the nearest health facilities in the event of alarming health concerns.
    During the assessment, the team collected water samples from the Cavalla River and its tributaries. The water samples were brought to Monrovia for analysis at the Environmental Protection Agency’ Laboratory in Sinkor. The laboratory results of free cyanide at Weteken Town, Maryland County was 0.150 ppm, about three times the permissible levels of 0.05 ppm. Although not sufficient to cause fish death, this level may cause reduction in dissolved oxygen levels resulting in significant distress in fish and other aquatic species.
    Sodium cyanide is a soluble salt which is considered the most rapidly acting of all known poisons. Exposure to low levels of sodium cyanide can result in breathing difficulties, heart pains, vomiting, blood changes, headaches, and thyroid gland enlargement.
    The laboratory results also showed Iron levels higher than permissible (≥ 2.0 ppm) at all sampling points in Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties. Iron is essential for the human body; however, excessive levels of iron in your water supply can lead to health concerns including stomach pain, vomiting and constipation.
    The assessment team also observed that the Cavalla River is being used for livelihood activities by inhabitants from both Ivory Coast and Liberia. However, dredging activities are being conducted at both ends of the river; impacting basic ecological services provided by this water basin. At the time of the team’s visit, health authorities in both Maryland and Grand Gedeh recorded no cases of cyanide-related illnesses.
    Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin steps to engage with the Ivorian Government, to address the situation in the Cavalla River basin.
13. The Overuse of Mercury in Liberia waters
    Fellow Liberians, there is a growing national concern about illegal, unregulated, unsustained, unreported extraction of our natural resources in a crude manner that continues to destroy and degrade not only our land areas, but major water bodies. This is particularly concerning for the use of mercury to mine gold facilitated by the increased number of dredges in our waters. Mercury is a chemical that is long lasting that can affect all of us. For example, when we mine gold using mercury, the mercury spreads in the water. The fish live in the water and get their food. The mercury enters the fish. When we eat fish, mercury enters our bodies. This can cause damage to our kidneys, cause deafness, cause blindness, and cause women to give birth to children with all kinds of brain problems. The same thing happens to those who smell mercury while using it to mine gold.
    To deal with this problem and other environmental issues, the EPA recently hosted a meeting with all 15 superintendents and development superintendents in Gbarnga, Bong County. We agreed to increase collaboration and coordination. County superintendents will help monitor and report some of these violations in their counties. We also agreed to increase awareness among local populations about the negative impacts of mercury and ask them to stop shielding miners. We are also in the process of submitting the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Once this process is completed, the use of mercury will be prohibited in Liberia. Singing and submitting the Convention will also pave the way to get assistance to clean up waters that are already polluted by mercury.
14. Water Contamination along the Nyanfor River in Margibi county
    On 3 August 2024, the EPA conducted a comprehensive investigation into the reported pollution of the Nyarfor River and the associated health concerns affecting communities in Margibi County. This investigation was initiated following complaints from residents in Nyanforla and surrounding communities that toxic wastes from the Lee Group Enterprises’ rubber processing plant in Corneh Farm, Salala District, Bong County, was causing severe skin diseases and other health issues. The investigation team conducted a thorough site assessment, water quality testing, and a community perception survey. Key findings from the investigation include:
15. Water Contamination: Several water quality parameters, including pH, phosphate, ammonia, and dissolved oxygen, were found to exceed the permissible limits of the Liberia Water Quality Standards at certain points around the Lee Group facility and within the Nyarfor River.
16. Inadequate Chemical Management: The investigation revealed shortcomings in the handling and storage of chemicals at the Lee Group facility, including the absence of proper signage, labeling, and safety training for chemical custodians.
17. Community Health Impact: A significant number of residents reported skin rashes and other health issues. Most of the residents rely on the Nyarfor River for their daily water needs, including drinking, cooking, and bathing.
    The EPA has recommended immediate steps to address the water issues in the affected communities, including the provision of alternative clean water sources, stricter regulatory compliance by Lee Group Enterprises, and enhanced environmental monitoring and safety measures at the facility.
    The EPA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all Liberians and will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the environmental and health risks identified in this investigation. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any further environmental concerns to the EPA.
    Thank you.