Monrovia, Liberia – December 9, 2024– Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated maintenance company to enhance cleanliness and sanitation in the country during his address at the 2024 National SME Conference and Trade Fair held at the Ministerial Complex.

In his remarks, Dr. Yarkpawolo highlighted the EPA’s commitment to fostering a clean and healthy environment and creating conditions for sustainable businesses that align with the country’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.

He shared an inspiring story about a friend who innovatively tackled the high costs of phone charging in rural areas, where many community members, particularly women, lacked access to affordable charging options.

His friend identified a significant opportunity by proposing a project that transitioned from small gasoline generators to solar-powered charging booths. This shift drastically reduced the charging fee from 100 Liberian dollars to just 20 Liberian dollars, resulting in a remarkable 80 percent decrease. Over ten years, the project is expected to save approximately 1,020.06 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The EPA Executive Director noted that this initiative led to a notable increase in phone ownership among villagers, thanks to the more affordable charging fees, while simultaneously reducing carbon monoxide pollution.

Dr. Yarkpawolo urged attendees to recognize the myriad opportunities that exist within the environmental and sustainability sectors that could lead to job creation. “There is a golden opportunity to establish a small maintenance company to conduct proper clean-up efforts in this country,” he stated.

He pointed out the challenges of inadequate trash collection and disposal, stressing the importance of the recently developed National Solid Waste Management Policy, which is geared towards engaging the private sector.

Additionally, he called for strict enforcement of the Liberianization policy, which mandates that at least 25 percent of all government purchases be sourced from Liberian businesses.

Reflecting on his experiences as a vice presidential candidate during the 2023 elections, Dr. Yarkpawolo recalled a visit to a rural village where women were left with unsold, damaged corn due to a lack of local buyers. He noted the irony of high chicken feed prices in Liberia, which are made primarily from corn that is imported.

To address this issue, he stressed the need for stronger connections between local producers and upstream buyers, particularly for products like corn. This emphasis on connectivity underscores the rationale behind Liberia’s new agriculture policy, which aims to fill existing gaps in the market. He called for full support in implementing the National Agriculture Policy to bolster local production and improve livelihoods.

Dr. Yarkpawolo concluded his address by reinforcing the need for collaboration and innovation to address environmental challenges, create sustainable business opportunities, and improve the overall well-being of Liberians. He asserted that fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within the environmental sector could ultimately lead to economic growth and a cleaner, more sustainable country for future generations.