(Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia, March 3, 2025) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has commenced its 8th Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Licensure Training, bringing together environmental evaluators, professionals from government ministries, agencies, commissions, and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The training, held under the theme: Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Social Equity in Development Projects, Programs, and Policies, aims to strengthen the capacity of independent evaluators and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Delivering the keynote address, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo expressed appreciation to the participants and highlighted the significance of the training. He noted that Part II, Section 10.2 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia (EPML) mandates the EPA to maintain a registry of qualified consultants authorized to conduct environmental and social impact studies. Section 10.3 further instructs the agency to employ and train personnel necessary to ensure compliance with ESIA requirements.

Dr. Yarkpawolo stated that the EPA has conducted seven previous ESIA licensure trainings, which have resulted in the accreditation of 19 nationally recognized environmental consultancy firms responsible for preparing project-specific environmental reports. Explaining the importance of ESIA, he stressed that the assessment process evaluates both the positive and negative impacts of development projects on the environment. These projects, including infrastructure development, road construction, and industrial activities, he disclosed require careful examination to ensure that land, air, water, plants, animals, and human communities are not adversely affected.

The results of such assessments, according to Dr. Yarkpawolo, lead to the formulation of an Environmental Management Plan, which focuses on mitigating negative impacts while enhancing positive outcomes. He underscored that the core mission of the EPA is to promote sustainability by ensuring that present-day resource utilization does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Dr. Yarkpawolo reminded the participants that they serve as extensions of the EPA, emphasizing that the ESIA process is both scientific and complex. He said without proper training, developers would struggle to conduct these assessments. He encouraged participants to produce quality ESIA reports, develop SMART Environmental Management Plans, ensure proper implementation, and report accurately to the EPA.

He highlighted that integrity, transparency, and accountability are crucial in their work, as project developers rely on them for proper guidance, while the EPA depends on their data for informed decision-making.

Recognizing the role of the Union of Certified Environmental Professionals of Liberia, Dr. Yarkpawolo acknowledged UCEL President Mr. Solomon P. Wright and his members, pledging EPA’s commitment to fostering a strong working relationship with the union. He encouraged UCEL to hold its members accountable to high professional standards, expressing the hope that Liberian environmental professionals would expand their expertise beyond national borders. The EPA’s Executive Director assured UCEL of the EPA’s determination to support their work under the government’s Liberianization policy, which seeks to empower Liberian-owned businesses.

He noted that when developers apply for an Environmental Permit, the EPA directs them to choose from the 19 accredited firms without favouring any specific one, adding that the approach fosters a competitive process in which firms with a record of quality work are more likely to be recommended for future projects.

Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the training aims to establish a uniform reporting format and enhance the capacity of all independent consultancy firms and environmental professionals. He reaffirmed the EPA’s commitment to the sustainable management of Liberia’s environment and natural resources to ensure environmental sustainability for present and future generations.

Welcoming participants on behalf of the EPA, Deputy Executive Director Mr. Dweh Siehwloh Boley Sr. reflected on the agency’s long-standing efforts to build the capacity of environmental professionals. He recalled that about 17 years ago, the first ESIA training was conducted at the same venue. Mr. Boley noted that during the last training in 2021, he had the opportunity to address participants as the President of the Union of Certified Environmental Professionals of Liberia (UCEL). Now serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the EPA, he emphasized the urgent need for constructive engagement and collaboration with UCEL to strengthen environmental governance in Liberia.

Also speaking at the event, UCEL President Mr. Solomon Wright lauded the EPA for organizing the training and encouraged participants to demonstrate transparency, hard work, and commitment. He stressed that environmental professionals play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development and must uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in their assessments and reports.

Providing an overview of the training, John K. Jallah Sr., Manager for Compliance and Enforcement at the EPA, detailed the structure of the program. Mr. Jallah explained that the training is being organized by the Department of Compliance and Enforcement in collaboration with the Environmental Research, Radiation, and Safety Department. He said the ESIA Unit serves as the secretariat, managing registration, communication, financial follow-ups, and coordination of the program. He added that the Assistant Manager of the ESIA Unit leads these efforts, while the Manager of Compliance and Enforcement chairs the training, with the Manager of the Environmental Research, Radiation, and Safety Department heading the curriculum development committee.

Mr. Jallah disclosed that the EPA has partnered with the University of Liberia’s Graduate School of Environmental Science and Climate Change to facilitate the training. He said facilitators include EPA staff, technicians, and external experts with a minimum of five years of experience in relevant fields. He added that each facilitator is required to submit their CVs, work profiles, and proof of practical expertise. Jallah maintained that the training modules are delivered through lectures and interactive discussions, with course documents and lecture slides provided to participants at the end of each training day.

The 10-day training will conclude with an evaluation test. Mr. Jallah proposed that previous evaluators undergo a one-week session focusing on new topics recommended by the EPA, followed by a two-day refresher course on general ESIA principles. He also announced that at the end of each module, participants will be divided into small groups and assigned tasks to foster teamwork, with each group making presentations on their assigned deliverables.

As part of the training, representatives from international partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, will present on environmental and social safeguards, providing independent consultants with insights into international best practices. The training will climax with a site visit, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in practical exercises tailored to their assignments.

With environmental sustainability at the core of Liberia’s development agenda, the EPA’s ESIA licensure training is expected to strengthen environmental governance and ensure that development projects align with national and international environmental standards.

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