(Monrovia, May 2, 2025)_The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has levied a fine of fifteen thousand United States dollars against Lonestar Cell MTN for failing to comply with environmental noise pollution regulations. The decision comes after continued complaints from residents living near the company’s generator installation site in Monrovia.

Speaking during a press conference held Friday in the EPA’s conference room at Mamba Point, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo explained that the fine was issued in line with Section 42 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia. The EPA’s investigation revealed that Lonestar Cell MTN did not fully implement a series of environmental mitigation measures previously recommended by the agency.

According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, earlier, on April 8, 2025, the EPA issued a public statement giving the company a ten-day period to address the environmental concerns raised by affected residents. In response, Lonestar Cell MTN wrote to the EPA on April 18, stating that it had complied with all recommendations, including making peace with the primary complainant. He said, however, a follow-up investigation conducted from April 7 to 24 proved otherwise.

He said the investigation showed that the company had relocated one of its generators without EPA approval.

““Noise quality assessments conducted at the site indicated that the remaining generators continued to emit noise levels well above the permissible limit. Daytime and nighttime readings reached as high as 84.6 decibels, exceeding the EPA’s maximum allowable limit of 60 decibels for residential-industrial zones,” he said.

In addition to the excessive noise levels, Dr. Yarkpawolo reported that Lonestar Cell MTN failed to install effective silencers on its generators, as the existing inbuilt silencers were inadequate. The EPA CEO added that the company also did not extend its exhaust stacks to the required 25 feet, leaving the configuration of the generator chimneys inconsistent with EPA standards. He maintained that there was no evidence that personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided for generator operators or security personnel, and the company failed to submit a formal relocation plan as required by the EPA.

Dr. Yarkpawolo said the EPA is mandating Lonestar Cell MTN to pay the fine within 72 hours into a designated government account at the Liberia Revenue Authority. Additionally, he added that the company must implement all outstanding recommendations within two weeks. He said the EPA will continue to monitor the situation closely, and failure to comply with the mandate may lead to additional actions, including further fines or the complete shutdown of the generators.

The EPA Chief Executive Officer is urging all companies operating in Liberia to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Management Law and to prioritize the health and safety of communities affected by their operations.