(Monrovia, Liberia, April 9, 2025)_“No more excuses. No more delays. Fix it or we’ll shut you down.”

That was the message from EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo as he launched a sweeping crackdown on environmental violators during a hard-hitting press conference at the agency’s Mamba Point headquarters on Tuesday.

Dr. Yarkpawolo called out polluting companies by name—from toxic river contamination in Grand Cape Mount to noise and smoke complaints in Congo Town—and made it clear: those endangering lives and flouting the law will face serious consequences.

“We’re not negotiating with pollution. This EPA is taking action,” he declared.

In a strong tone, Dr. Yarkpawolo outlined several major steps the EPA is taking to protect Liberia’s environment, hold companies accountable, and improve public safety.

From ongoing pollution cases to new clean energy initiatives, the EPA Executive Director made one thing clear: environmental law is not optional.

Dr. Yarkpawolo confirmed serious pollution in the Masakpa-Matambo River in Grand Cape Mount County, where residents had reported skin rashes, diarrhea, and damage to crops and homes. He said, after an EPA investigation, lab tests showed high turbidity and dangerous levels of arsenic and solids in the water.

While the Bea Mountain Mining Company was not found entirely responsible, the EPA Executive Director urged the company to take steps to help affected communities—such as installing handpumps and cleaning water sources.

“The people are suffering. The river is their life. We expect companies to do more, even if they’re not the only ones to blame,” said Dr. Yarkpawolo.

The EPA has also issued a final warning to Lonestar Cell MTN over excessive generator noise and emissions at its Congo Town facility. Accordinf to Dr. Yarkpawolo, residents had complained of health issues and sleepless nights, stressing that the company now has ten business days to install silencers, raise exhaust stacks, and provide earplugs to workers—or face suspension and legal action.

Addressing the Sethi Ferro Fabrik Steel Factory incident which occured in February 2025, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the EPA have returned to the site for a second review.

“The company made some improvements, but the EPA says more needs to be done. The factory still lacks proper fire safety measures, emergency exits, and full training documentation. We will not wait for another tragedy before action is taken,” Dr. Yarkpawolo warned.

In another development, Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that Lee Group and Jeety Rubbe are being found to be breaching environmental rules.He said Lee Group was caught with expired chemicals and no safety data for workers, while Jeety Rubber’s wastewater and workplace conditions raised red flags. He addd that due to the magnitude, the EPA ordered both companies to make urgent changes.

Aside from enforcement, Dr. Yarkpawolo shared updates on national environmental projects. He sais the EPA is building a modern $100,000 lab, pushing for a climate change law, and drafting a carbon market policy. He added that the Coastal defense work in Sinoe and Monrovia is progressing, aimed at protecting cities from sea level rise.

Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that the agency is also piloting net metering—a system that lets people with solar power give energy to the grid and get credits in return, adding that the EPA building and the University of Liberia’s Climate Change Lab will serve as test sites.